Chapter 2061 : Kael's Tribulation

"That goes without saying."

Riverlord Chang (Person Name) continued placing his piece, yet spoke with unshaken composure: "In this era, you hold the prestige of a Demi-Sage and stand as the progenitor of an entire school. Across the vast primordial chaos, who would dare show disrespect?"

"Even the Primordial Heavenly Emperor would address you with reverence as the Ancestor of the Returning Abyss. How would those so-called Celestial Monarchs and Great Emperors dare to show the slightest insolence in your presence?"

Eldrin could not help but let out a sigh upon hearing this.

As fellow masters of the Dao, the Dao Ancestor and the Demi-Sage differed fundamentally. For the Dao Ancestor who pioneered a Great Dao, as more immortals cultivated this founding path, the authority of the Great Dao would exponentially intensify.

To say nothing of the 9 supreme divine forms, even stepping into the Limitless Dao held considerable possibility.

It could be said that as a peerless Dao Ancestor, obtaining even a single wisp of Primordial Chaos Qi would guarantee a breakthrough to the realm of Chaos Heavenly Emperor, with substantial hope of even reaching the Second Realm of Chaos.

Not to mention, Eldrin’s Path of Self-Sacrifice was anything but ordinary—it could very well be placed on par with the path of physical sanctification and the mastery of the Dao, possessing exceedingly rare potential.

Hence, Eldrin's identity and potential were far from those of an ordinary Demi-Saint. He was destined to become the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, a peerless Dao Ancestor with the prospect of ascending even further—to the realm of the Unity Supreme.

Such a peerless Dao Ancestor was far beyond any Sage-to-Be, and even a supreme Sage-to-Be like the Kirin Sage-to-Be likely paled in comparison to Eldrin (Person Name) in terms of potential.

Precisely for this reason, even the 3 great Celestial Emperors of the demon race did not act with arrogance before Eldrin.

The 2 Divine Sovereigns were willing to form an Eternal Covenant with Eldrin precisely because he was a Patriarch of the Great Dao, not merely an ordinary Sage who merely grasped its threads.

Otherwise, what mere Paragon could ever be mentioned in the same breath as the Primordial Heavenly Emperor?

It must be known that even the Divine Clan's quasi-emperor Tianhuang regarded himself as a junior before the 2 Divine Emperors, daring not to overstep in the slightest.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin collected his wandering thoughts and turned to Riverlord Chang with a light laugh. "It's only by your side that I can truly feel at ease, allowing my spirit to drift freely and unburdened."

Riverlord Chang smiled faintly. Having witnessed Eldrin's rise from obscurity, he regarded the young man almost as a junior of his own lineage.

Such a relationship, however, imposed no real constraints.

He pondered briefly before speaking, "I heard you're sending a group of people to the Great Barren Ancient Realm for reincarnation this time?"

"Hmm."

Eldrin nodded, contemplating for a moment before saying, "With my current cultivation level, I am now capable of guiding some old acquaintances."

"I've come to see you this time specifically to discuss this matter with you."

Riverlord Chang (Person Name) nodded, yet after pondering for a long while, he finally said, "The heart clings to its native soil. I shall not venture into the Great Desolate Ancient Realm (World Name)."

"I shall remain here in the 7 Domains of the Southern Abyss, and while I'm at it, keep an eye on the Violet Realm as well."

Eldrin's gaze flickered slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "In that case, how about I send you, Senior, back to the Violet Realm for reincarnation?"

"Agreed."

Riverlord Chang gave a slight nod, agreeing to Eldrin's suggestion.

Witnessing this, Eldrin played 1 final game of chess with Riverlord Chang. Only when the last piece was placed did he send Riverlord Chang to be reborn through the cycle of reincarnation.

This time, by aiding Riverlord Chang (Person Name) in his reincarnation, Eldrin (Person Name) had also integrated 2 Primordial Characters into his consciousness.

Those 2 Primordial Words intertwined with the Primal Mother Qi and the Primordial Purple Qi, ultimately giving birth to a scroll of several 100 ancient primordial characters—the Primordial River-Luo Tome.

Eldrin grasped the profound mysteries of this ancient scripture with but a single glance.

This Primordial River-Luo Tome contained the Great Dao of the Primordial River and Luo. Though it lacked the method to refine Primordial Qi found in the Primordial Genesis Qi Sutra, it also fell short of the astonishing enlightenment offered by the Primordial Book of Inquiry.

However, this ancient scripture recorded the cultivation methods for 2 True Spirit Treasures, namely the River Chart (Magic Treasure) and the Luo Writings (Magic Treasure).

Riverlord Chang carried this scripture through reincarnation, enabling him to channel the power of rivers, lakes, and seas from childhood, cultivating 2 Embryonic True Spirit Treasures.

As his cultivation advanced, when Riverlord Chang (Person Name) stepped into the realm of Great Emperor, he would inevitably master 2 innate supreme treasures.

The River Chart and the Luo Book, each on its own, were merely ordinary Primordial Treasures. Yet once these 2 artifacts combined to form the Primordial River-Luo Grand Formation, they would unleash power far surpassing that of any common Primordial Treasure.

Moreover, by cultivating with these 2 treasures, the reincarnated body of Riverlord Chang would surely possess no small potential in the future.

"With this fortuitous encounter and my cultivation guidance, it should come as no great surprise when Senior Changhe steps into the realm of Great Emperor in his next life."

Eldrin murmured inwardly, then departed from the Cycle Rebirth Well. Within the Netherrealm, he encountered the Azure Ancestor who presided over the underworld.

In the Hall of Netherdarkness, Eldrin sat facing the Ancient Azure Ancestor. Gazing upon the venerable figure before him, Eldrin could not help but voice his inquiry.

"How has your accumulation progressed in recent years, Patriarch?"

"Attaining the Dao through the Nascent Soul is arduous—I still cannot reach that stage."

Elder Qing spoke slowly, a trace of helplessness coloring his expression.

After so many years apart, Elder Qing's cultivation still remained stagnant at the Ancient Immortal Realm.

This was not due to any lack of fortune or talent on Eldrin's part, but rather because he had chosen the path of divine soul ascension.

If the path of physical ascension was a 100 deaths for 1 chance at life, then the path of primordial spirit enlightenment was universally acknowledged throughout the 7 realms of the Southern Abyss as a road to certain doom.

Elder Qing was a man of extraordinary talent. Having once devised the Method of Nurturing Meridians to Ascend to Immortality, and blessed with the Primordial Chaos Fortune, he naturally pursued his own unique path to divinity through primordial spirit cultivation.

Throughout these 4 100 kalpas, he had long since cultivated his primordial spirit to the very cusp of True Spirit Primordial Spirit, standing merely half a step away from its full realization.

Yet this half-step was as difficult as scaling the heavens, preventing Patriarch Qing from ever completing his final metamorphosis.

"The path of the Soul Dao Celestial Emperor has always been a road of no return since ancient times."

Eldrin (Person Name) spoke slowly, unable to suppress a sigh as he began, "Throughout the ages, countless heroes have emerged under the vast chaos of heaven and earth—how many prodigies have graced these realms? Yet those who have cultivated a True Spirit Primordial Soul remain few and far between."

"With your status as a Ghost Immortal, the path to cultivating a True Spirit Primordial Soul is naturally fraught with considerable difficulty."

Elder Qing nodded slightly before speaking, "I have studied the Earth Soul Codex and witnessed the soul cultivation secrets you left behind, yet I still find it impossible to take that final step."

"I wonder where exactly the problem lies?"

Eldrin fell into a brief contemplation before speaking after a long pause, "In my view, there are only 2 paths to cultivate the foundation of a True Spiritual Root."

"First, 1 must be like me, using an indomitable foundation to shatter all limits and summon the insignia of the primordial true spirit."

"Second, 1 might attempt to sever all worldly attachments and pursue the path of primordial spirit ascension with the purest form of divine consciousness."

"Abandon everything?"

Elder Qing was momentarily taken aback, his thoughts drifting to Chen Qiyuan.

In the past, when Chen Qiyuan embarked on the path of physical sanctification, he completely abandoned all foundations, even sacrificing the immortal domain and grand dao he had established, wholly committing to the ultimate way of bodily ascension.

From that day onward, Chen Qiyuan's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. Before he even realized it, he had reached the sixth level of the Primordial Chaos Emperor Realm.

"So, all along, I've been walking the wrong path?"

Elder Qing murmured softly, a faint, bitter smile gracing his lips.

Eldrin nodded slightly and then spoke, "The first path is exceptionally arduous, demanding the fortitude to dominate all and the innate talent to match, as well as the resolve and capability to command the entirety of 1's foundational cultivation."

"Better to sever all attachments and devote myself solely to the path of primordial spirit cultivation. This way, I need not divide my attention elsewhere, nor face conflicts with the Great Dao. My cultivation would naturally advance by leaps and bounds."

"I understand."

Elder Qing nodded slightly, a glimmer of enlightenment dawning in his eyes.

He understood that everyone's aptitude was different; not just anyone could master the foundation of the 7 major True Spiritual Roots (Spiritual Root).

However, each person has their own strengths; some are suited to the path of physical body sanctification, while others are better suited to the path of spiritual enlightenment through the primordial soul.

Rather than being distracted by unsuitable paths, it is better to sever all impure ways and focus solely on the path most suited to oneself—only then can 1 perhaps achieve greater accomplishments.

With this thought in mind, Patriarch Qing declared, "If that is the case, then I shall sever all attachments and embark on the path of spiritual ascension with my primordial spirit alone."

"Hold."

Just as Patriarch Qing was about to sever all attachments to fully pursue the path of physical sanctification, Eldrin stood in his way.

He pondered briefly before retrieving 2 ethereal ancient soul cultivation scriptures. After making copies, he handed them to Patriarch Qing and said, "These 2 volumes of soul dao classics may prove somewhat useful to you."

"First, meditate on it for a while. You might just gain some insights."

Elder Qing sensed the ancient scriptures within his consciousness sea, and his expression shifted slightly as he said, “To think all 3 volumes of the ancient scriptures have already fallen into your hands.”

"This matter is of great importance, Ancestor. It must not be spread beyond these walls."

Eldrin (Person Name) gave a solemn nod, his expression grave as he spoke.

Qing Lao Zu said no more, his expression turning exceptionally solemn as he sealed off his Sea of Consciousness.

Seeing this, Eldrin (Person Name) did not linger further. He believed that the Sword Sovereign Qing, who could sever all things, would surely succeed in cultivating the True Spirit Primordial Soul.

By then, when I delve into the 3 great soul Dao ancient scriptures, the hope of cultivating 1 or 2 True Spirit Acupoints should be quite promising.

As for whether he could advance further, it all depended on whether he could forge his own path.

Emerging from the Netherrealm, Eldrin returned to his cave abode, intending to enter seclusion to consolidate the gains from this battle. Yet just then, a formal visitation card arrived.

The 1 who presented the visiting card was merely a late-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal, hardly worthy of Eldrin's attention by conventional standards.

However, after seeing the name on the visiting card, Eldrin still instructed Ye Qingfeng to personally receive the visitor.

Soon after, Ye Qingfeng arrived at Eldrin’s immortal palace accompanied by a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Upon seeing Eldrin, the man immediately bowed with utmost reverence.

“This junior Qing Cang pays his respects to the Great Dao Ancestor of the Returning Abyss.”

Arise.

Eldrin (Person Name) swept his sleeve to raise the man, gazing at the majestic figure before him as a complex wave of emotions surfaced in his eyes.

The man before him was none other than Eldrin, Lord of the Qingcang Celestial Realm—the illustrious Great Deity of Qingcang, whose name had resounded across the primordial era of the Divine Race.

Long ago, when Eldrin ascended to the Qingcang Celestial Realm, he had always regarded the Great Deity of Qingcang as an ancient legend, merely a mythical figure from the depths of folklore.

Now, after hundreds of kalpas had swiftly passed, he finally beheld the great deity Qing Cang for the first time, only to find that this legendary figure seemed rather unremarkable after all.

Not to mention the Great God Qingcang, even that indescribable being who once slew the Great God Qingcang was merely a Demonic Path Sub-Sage from the alien realm of Northern Abyss.

With a single sword thrust piercing the Chaotic Heavenly Abyss, Eldrin could now sever a late-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal across immeasurably distant spacetime—even follow through by annihilating them thousands upon thousands of times. Such feats were well within his current capabilities.

"When 1's cultivation realm is attained, even the once-indescribable myths of yore appear to be nothing extraordinary after all."

Eldrin sighed inwardly before asking, "I see your injuries have fully healed. It seems you've been doing quite well these years."

Great God Qingcang wore a restrained expression as he spoke with reverence, "This junior's successful revival is entirely thanks to the incarnation you, the Heavenly Dao Ancestor, descended to protect my path all those years ago."

"Today I have come specifically to express my gratitude, Esteemed Senior."

"This humble gift is but a token of my respect. I beg you, Senior, not to decline it."

As he spoke, the Great God Qing Cang presented several rare treasures, each an artifact of the Innate Spiritual Treasure level.

To this, Eldrin smiled faintly. When the Great Divinity Qing Cang was reviving, he had sent his Reincarnation Avatar to guard the process, ensuring the deity’s smooth return.

Now that the Great Deity Qingcang had come to express his gratitude, it was indeed a reasonable gesture. These treasures meant little to Eldrin (Person Name), yet they still represented a token of the other party’s sincerity.

Eldrin gave a slight nod, signaling Ye Qingfeng to retrieve the treasure, then said with a smile, "Your master, the Divine Emperor of Taicang, has been a dear friend of mine for many years."

"In my early years, I too cultivated in the Celestial Realm of Soaring Skies. Speaking of which, there is a thread of karma between us."

With these words, Chen Nian smiled faintly and flicked his sleeve, releasing several rare spiritual lights which he then handed to Great God Qing Cang.

"Take these treasures as a keepsake from me, consider them a meeting gift."

Great God Qingcang received the treasures, and his heart shuddered violently.

The treasures bestowed upon him by Eldrin (Person Name) were of extraordinary value, including a strand of Primordial Genesis Qi (Primordial Energy) and several artifacts of the Primordial Chaos grade (Magic Treasure).

If his fortune proved sufficient, he might even ascend to the realm of the Primordial Chaos Emperor.

Thinking of this, he immediately dropped to his knees and exclaimed with ecstatic fervor, "My deepest gratitude for Your Majesty’s generous reward!"

"Leave my presence."

Eldrin smiled faintly, then waved his sleeve to signal his departure.

After he had departed, Eldrin seemed to recall something and suddenly turned to Lyra beside him, asking, "Since my return this time, why have I not seen our clan elder brother Kael?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the several people nearby darkened slightly.

Chen Ethan (Person Name) let out a faint sigh before speaking, "In the past, when we were besieged by the 4 Great Imperial Courts, during the most critical moment of the great battle, our clansman Kael (Person Name) unleashed combat power capable of striking against an Imperial Monarch to protect our clan."

In that battle, he was besieged by multiple demon emperors, even drawing the attention of a late-stage Primordial Chaos Emperor.

In the end, Kael’s grand-uncle was forced to flee into the Chaotic Wastes, and it has already been countless kalpas since then.

A sense of gravity welled up in Eldrin's heart, casting a solemn shadow over his thoughts.

Back then, to prevent the news of Eldrin's survival from being exposed, Lyra and the others had deliberately suppressed their true strength, remaining confined within the Abyssal Dao Realm unless absolutely necessary.

To save his clan, Kael was forced to unleash combat prowess rivaling that of the Primordial Emperor.

He was only at the Great Perfection stage of the Golden Immortal, yet he displayed power comparable to that of a Chaos Emperor. This immediately caught the attention of the powerful demon clan members.

At that time, the demon race believed he possessed the bearing of a Great Emperor and was highly likely to lead the Path of Self-Sacrifice to resurgence from its ashes.

Thus, the demon race dispatched numerous Chaos Origin Emperors to hunt him down, among whom were even experts at the seventh level of the Chaos Origin Emperor realm.

To avoid implicating the Abyssal Dao Domain, Kael fled alone into the Chaotic Desolate Sea. Since then, he had remained without a trace for hundreds of kalpas.

"So it was like this."

Eldrin's eyes turned slightly cold, a wave of immense fury rising within him.

It must be known that the desolate power of the Primordial Chaos Barren Sea was potent enough to completely corrode the soul of a Primordial Chaos Emperor. Even supreme powerhouses at the Great Emperor level could be utterly lost within its depths.

How could Kael, who was merely at the Great Perfection stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal back then, possibly withstand the erosion of such terrifying Desolate Force?

Hundreds of kalpas had now passed. If nothing unexpected occurred, Kael had likely long been completely corroded by the desolate power, utterly transformed into a mindless Desolate Being.

In such circumstances, Eldrin (Person Name) found himself powerless to rescue Kael (Person Name), despite his fervent desire to do so.

For the vast and boundless Chaos Desolate Sea was so immense that even a Dao Fusion Supreme could not locate a single minor Great Luo Desolate clansman.

Even Eldrin (Person Name) would likely be unable to retrieve it, let alone restore it to life.

"Alas—"

Eldrin sighed inwardly, suppressing the thought.

A flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes as he asked, "Who were the ones that struck that year?"

Golden-Winged Roc Emperor, Howl Moon Emperor, and the Emperor of the Dawnsun Azure Bird Clan, along with 6 others.

Lyra spoke in a measured tone before continuing, "6 of them were suppressed by you, but the seventh-level Chaos Origin Emperor happens to be the progenitor of the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Tribe."

His name was Roaring Heaven Emperor (Person Name), and he was not in the Return to Void Dao Domain (Location) at that time, thus narrowly escaping this calamity.

"I understand."

Eldrin nodded slightly. With a flick of his sleeve, he summoned the Chaos Primordial Grasp, instantly tearing through the vast Chaotic Sea before vanishing into the boundless void's horizon.

Meanwhile, far away in the Primal Immortal Realm, a magnificent Demon Imperial Court drifted amidst the heavens.

This was an incomparably magnificent imperial court, known as the Howling Moon Imperial Court, belonging to the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Clan that commanded awe throughout the Primal Immortal Domain.

The Howling Moon Skywolf Clan, also known as the Primeval Skywolf Clan, was once 1 of the 10 1000 Primeval Clans.

It has existed to this day for hundreds of thousands of kalpas, remaining unshaken even through the boundless calamities of the late Primordial Era.

As a mighty Imperial Court possessing several Chaos Origin Emperors, the Howling Moon Celestial Wolf Tribe ranked among the top 50 of the 10 1000 Ancient Races during the Primordial Era.

Later, when the Primordial Era perished and the Sun Celestial Emperor established the Ancient Demon Court, the Howling Moon Skywolf Clan joined the demon tribes, becoming 1 of the top 30 supreme imperial clans among them.

To this day, the Howling Moon Imperial Court still rises and falls yet stands unyielding, remaining 1 of the supreme imperial bloodlines among the demon race.

But on this very day, a sound that seemed capable of tearing through eternity suddenly erupted beyond the Howling Moon Imperial Court.

"Boom—"

But then came a deafening, world-sundering tearing sound, as the void of the Primordial Immortal Realm was violently ripped apart.

Then, a colossal palm of chaos that blotted out the skies descended, crashing mercilessly upon the Howling Moon Celestial Court.

Boom.

In an instant, the boundless and majestic Howl-Crescent Divine Palace trembled as if on the verge of collapse. The celestial pavilions, vast as primeval divine moons, began to shatter incessantly.

In that moment of peril, a peerless grand formation was involuntarily activated, and a towering figure of immense power soared into the heavens.

He stood like a primordial deity at the world's axis, channeling the grand formation's power to brace heaven and earth as he desperately resisted the sky-obscuring colossal hand.

"Crack—"

Yet even so, beneath the crushing weight of that chaotic giant hand, the super formation teetered on the verge of collapse. The Primordial Gods and Demons sustaining the array nearly buckled to their knees, unleashing agonized howls of torment.

"Ah, spare me, Patriarch of the Way!"

Chapter 1 The mountain peak pierced through the sea of clouds like a verdant sword, where a young man in blue robes sat cross-legged. His name was Lin Feng, a disciple of the Azure Mist Sect who had just broken through to the 3rd layer of Qi Refining. "Finally," he murmured, opening his eyes as a faint spiritual glow shimmered around him. "3 years... it took me 3 years to reach this stage." From his spatial pouch, he retrieved exactly 1,250 spirit stones—his entire savings as an outer sect disciple. Each stone shimmered with pure energy, yet he knew this amount was barely enough to purchase a single Foundation Establishment Pill. Suddenly, the ancient bronze mirror on the stone table began to glow. An archaic voice echoed from it: "The celestial mirror recognizes your perseverance through 9,999 days of cultivation. You shall inherit the legacy of the Starry Sky Sovereign." Lin Feng's heart raced. Countless legends spoke of this artifact, but none mentioned it could choose its master. Before him materialized a scroll—the Cosmic Genesis Art (Cultivation Method). "Master the first chapter," the voice continued, "and you shall comprehend the Dao of Stars." As night fell, Lin Feng began cultivating according to the scroll. The starlight converged around him like liquid silver, flowing into his meridians. He could feel his spiritual power growing at an astonishing rate—what would normally take months was achieved in mere hours. At dawn, his eyes snapped open, twin beams of starlight shooting from them. "So this is the power of a supreme cultivation method," he whispered, watching as the morning mist swirled around his fingertips, responding to his every breath. A thunderous roar echoed from the distance. The annual sect competition was beginning, and Lin Feng knew his 32,000 fellow disciples would stop at nothing to climb the ranks. But now, with the celestial mirror's inheritance, his path to immortality had truly begun.