Chapter 828 : The Weight of a Clan's Fate

"Since you have made preparations, I can rest assured."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then said thoughtfully after a moment of silence, "For this Demonic Abyss Cataclysm, it is very likely I will be unable to participate in the battle, and Old Granduncle Eternal Profound must also guard the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire."

"Therefore, for this upcoming campaign, you, Ethan, will need to take charge as the family's leader."

"This nephew understands." Ethan Chen gave a firm nod, speaking with unwavering confidence, "For this battle, we will undoubtedly pour our full strength into it and bring all our clansmen back safely."

"Mm."

Eldrin Chen nodded again, yet a thread of concern still lingered in his heart.

Given the current scale of the Chen Clan, the ones who could truly shoulder the heavy responsibilities within the family were essentially just the few Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator] level combatants among him and his dao companions. Beyond them, there were only Kael Chen and Eternal Profound Chen.

However, Eldrin Chen and the others were genuine Immortal Seed [cultivators with the potential to ascend to immortality]. Once they entered the fray, they would inevitably become the primary targets for the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this realm] to hunt.

To prevent them from falling prematurely, unless it was a moment of life-or-death necessity, the various Path Lord [a master of a profound cultivation path] of the Eastern Barrens were unwilling to let them take action.

The urgent task for them now was to cultivate diligently and strive for an early breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core]. That was the true path forward.

Among the others, Kael Chen was currently at a critical juncture of cleansing his demonic heart, and Eternal Profound Chen needed to regulate the Earth Vein [a major spiritual energy artery within the earth]. Neither was suitable to participate in the upcoming battle of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a periodic, large-scale conflict where demonic forces erupt from the abyss].

Thus, the heavy responsibility of leading the effort fell upon the shoulders of Ethan Chen.

Although Ethan Chen possessed Extraordinary talent and was destined to reach at least the Primordial Spirit Aptitude [the innate potential to cultivate one's Primordial Spirit, the spiritual core], his cultivation had only recently broken through to the Infant Soul Late Stage [the final phase of the Infant Soul realm, where the nascent soul matures].

Given his current strength and standing, leading the clan's several dozen Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have reached the Infant Soul realm and earned the title of True Lord] in a conflict of this magnitude was somewhat insufficient. This fact weighed heavily on Eldrin Chen's mind.

Yet, with no other suitable candidates available, Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before speaking. "For this campaign, I will instruct Elder Brother Sea-Calmer and Elder Brother Featherflight. You are to stay by their side and on no account act recklessly."

"We understand,"

they all replied with solemn nods, their expressions grave.

Satisfied that everyone grasped the severity of the situation, Eldrin Chen announced, "The Demonic Abyss Cataclysm is now less than one Sixty-Year Cycle [a complete cycle of sixty years] away. Go and make your preparations."

Forces must be mobilized at least a decade before the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm erupts, and the preparatory work itself requires decades, if not a full century. There was no time for delay.

After the others had departed, Eldrin Chen spoke to Exquisite Jiang, who had remained, and the other Mortal Path [cultivators who have transcended mortality and embarked on the Immortal Path] cultivators. "Recently, I have felt my accumulation is sufficient. It is time to attempt comprehending the Wood Attribute Arcane Power [a profound divine ability aligned with the Wood element] once more."

"This seclusion will be short, perhaps a dozen years, and at most no longer than one Sixty-Year Cycle. I should emerge by then."

"Since your accumulation is sufficient, proceed with your breakthrough with peace of mind." Hearing this, Verdant Consort said joyfully, "We will guard the family's safety."

"Very well. I entrust the family to your protection, my ladies."

Resolved to comprehend the Wood Attribute Arcane Power in one sustained effort, Eldrin Chen immediately returned to Spirit Isle Lake to enter closed-door cultivation.

For the past century, Eldrin Chen had been a hair's breadth away from fully grasping the Wood Attribute Arcane Power.

Now, having stirred from his stillness and traveled briefly to alleviate the tedium of his stalled cultivation, he had realigned his mindset.

This time, he entered a life-or-death seclusion, vowing not to emerge until he had mastered the Wood Attribute Arcane Power.

"…"

Thus, time flowed swiftly, and over a dozen years passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Eldrin Chen sat meditating within his Seclusion Chamber. After years of arduous cultivation, he faintly sensed he was touching the threshold, the very gateway to comprehending the Wood Attribute Arcane Power.

"Fire and water intertwine, metal and earth give birth to each other."

"With the power of Primordial One Gold and Myriad Things Earth, I can resist the Primordial Solar Flame and Profound Darkness Water. This should be sufficient to reduce the difficulty of comprehending the Wood Attribute Arcane Power [a profound and esoteric power derived from the fundamental laws of the cosmos]."

As he felt himself drawing ever closer to fully grasping the Wood Attribute Arcane Power, Eldrin Chen immediately mobilized the four types of spiritual energy within his body, setting them against each other to neutralize their conflict, while simultaneously focusing his entire consciousness on contemplating that very Wood Attribute Arcane Power.

Employing this dual approach, an indeterminate amount of time passed. Then, in a moment of profound clarity, Eldrin Chen felt as if he had knocked upon a celestial gate and glimpsed the true visage of the Great Path [the fundamental principle governing all existence].

It was a world of Path Principles [the fundamental laws and truths of the cosmos] of unparalleled brilliance. One after another, dazzling sources of light floated in the void, blanketing heaven and earth like the Myriad Stellar [the countless stars of the cosmos].

Eldrin Chen looked up, his gaze sweeping casually over cluster after cluster of these luminous sources. A look of awe could not help but appear in his eyes.

"Immortal-Slaying Vine, Underworld Blossom, Evergreen Grass, Fusang Tree, God-Slaying Fruit."

Eldrin Chen murmured these names inwardly, recognizing some of the existences contained within these radiant sources.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen's breathing grew somewhat rapid. These divine objects were all rare treasures even within the Immortal Realm [the realm of ascended beings]. They were manifestations of the Great Path's Path Principles within the Mortal Dust [the mortal world], each one a peerless entity seldom seen between heaven and earth.

Take, for example, the Immortal-Slaying Vine. It was born from the convergence of the Innate Celestial Slaughter Path Principles [the primordial law of celestial execution] and the Innate Supple Wood Path Principles [the primordial law of supple, vital wood]. Innate [possessing a primordial, heaven-born nature], it contained within it a supreme power of Slaughter [massacre, execution]. It was conceived and nurtured by the Great Path and its Path Principles. If one could successfully cultivate its power, they would gain the ability for Immortal-Slaying God-Slaying [slaying both immortals and gods].

Some Immortals who primarily cultivate Wood-attributed Path Principles would refine this supreme Slaughter arcane power. Their combat prowess would rank among the very pinnacle even amongst Immortals.

Another example is the Underworld Blossom. This is a supreme treasure of the Netherworld Realm that contains the power of the Netherworld Reincarnation Great Path. Cultivated to its ultimate limit, it can even lead one directly to the realm of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal.

The Evergreen Grass represents the Longevity Arcane Power. Comprehending this path to its ultimate state leads to the legendary Longevity Great Path. A Primordial Spirit Path Lord who masters such Arcane Power could live for a hundred thousand years in a single lifetime.

The remaining God-Slaying Fruit and Fusang Tree are also extraordinarily divine and wondrous. The former excels in spiritual soul Slaughter, while the latter is the Primordial Solar Tree of Heaven and Earth [the mythical tree from which the suns were said to rise]. Both are exceedingly rare Paths to Heaven.

Although these paths are all Paths to Heaven, Eldrin Chen did not choose any of these Arcane Powers at this moment.

His gaze fell upon the three brightest Stars within the Starry River, a flicker of indecision passing through his eyes.

Within those three Stars, the first manifested into an immensely majestic ancient tree. It pierced through the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Man, supporting both the great earth and the firmament with an indescribable divine might.

The second was an unfathomably ancient great tree. Each of its leaves and branches resembled a Star, containing within it a great world where countless living beings dwelled, vast as a Great Universe.

The final source of light contained a hazy, indistinct seed. Eldrin Chen could neither distinguish nor clearly perceive its true form, yet this seed harbored a vitality of such exuberant potency that it surpassed anything Eldrin Chen had ever witnessed in his life.

"The Heaven-Linking Tree, the World Tree, and this one..."

Gazing at the three luminous orbs before him, a flicker of hesitation passed through Eldrin Chen's heart.

Among the three Wood-Attribute Arcane Power [profound supernatural abilities], the Heaven-Linking Tree Arcane Power originates from the legendary Heaven-Linking Tree [the primordial tree said to connect Heaven and Earth].

That Heaven-Linking Tree is fabled to be the first divine tree born between Heaven and Earth, the supreme sacred tree that supports the Three Realms [the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Realms]. It contains unparalleled Heaven-Supporting Path Principles [the profound laws and truths of supporting the heavens]. Cultivating these Path Principles [fundamental laws of reality and cultivation] would undoubtedly grant combat prowess that stands at the pinnacle among peers of the same realm.

The World Tree [a cosmic tree whose branches hold worlds], on the other hand, is an ancient divine tree from the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation]. Each of its leaves can evolve into a world, and the entire ancient tree is as vast and ancient as a Great Universe [a complete cosmos or universe].