Chapter 820 : A Phoenix's Covenant Forged

As his words fell, he immediately expelled nine streams of Primordial Essence [the most fundamental and purest form of spiritual energy] and guided them to merge into the Phoenix Egg.

The Immortal Egg [an egg containing a being of immense spiritual potential], covered in intricate Phoenix Patterns, seemed to receive a priceless treasure. It greedily absorbed all nine streams of Primordial Essence before finally ceasing.

After absorbing the nine streams of Primordial Essence, the Phoenix Patterns on the eggshell grew even more vivid and lifelike. Faintly, a trace of Innate Intent [the primordial will or consciousness inherent to a supreme being] began to stir within.

Immediately following, a brilliant stream of light shot forth from the egg and surged directly into Eldrin Chen's sea of consciousness [the spiritual realm of the mind].

"What is this?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with understanding as he instantly grasped the meaning of this phenomenon.

It was the Phoenix Egg, bound by the karmic ties he had forged. A nascent, dimly awakening consciousness stirred within its depths and, of its own accord, formed an Immortal Spirit Contract [a sacred and binding pact between an immortal and a divine beast] with him.

This astonished Eldrin Chen. An Immortal Spirit Contract was typically a pact made between an Immortal [a being who has ascended to immortality] and a divine beast from the Immortal Realm [the realm of the immortals].

That this Phoenix Egg was willing to form such a contract with him meant it had voluntarily acknowledged him as its master—an outcome somewhat beyond his expectations.

Yet, moments later, through the connection of the Immortal Spirit Contract, Eldrin Chen gained a measure of understanding about the Phoenix Egg and grasped the likely reason it had chosen to bind itself to him. For more chapters, visit audio-novel .c om for the complete novel.

It turns out that beings such as the True Dragon and the Immortal Phoenix, despite both being Mythical Immortal Seed [a constitution of mythical, near-immortal potential], actually possess vastly different lineages and inherent foundations.

Setting aside Mythical Immortal Seed who have not yet attained immortality, even among Phoenixes who have reached the Immortal realm, there can be immense differences in their inherent foundations.

Ordinary Phoenixes are merely postnatal beings. Though their bloodline is extraordinary, they are often limited by it; most can only cultivate to the Earth Immortal Realm [the realm of Earth Immortals] before reaching their ceiling.

Beyond these, there exist the exceedingly rare Innate Phoenix [a Phoenix born of primordial, innate essence], whose bloodline and foundation are utterly astonishing, their potential far surpassing what ordinary beings can imagine.

Such entities are born innately, emerging only when a Great Luo Golden Immortal [a supreme Golden Immortal of the Great Luo realm] carves out and establishes an Immortal Domain [a domain or world governed by immortal laws].

These Innate Phoenix possess heaven-defying talent. Generally, they are born with cultivation at the Ascension Immortal Realm [the realm of Ascension Immortals], and in the future, most are destined to become figures of the Heavenly Immortal Paragon [Paragon-level Heavenly Immortal] tier.

If their opportunities and fate [fortuitous encounters and destiny] are sufficient, they can even take a further step to forge an Innate Divine Foundation [a divine foundation of innate origin], achieving the peerless might of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

And this Phoenix egg, during its gestation, was nurtured by Eldrin Chen's Primordial Essence [the purest, most fundamental energy of creation], which has already fostered within it a wisp of Innate Qi [primordial, innate energy].

Do not underestimate this faint strand of Innate Qi. The foundation of the Phoenix egg has already undergone a Postnatal Returning to Innate [a profound transformation from the postnatal state back to an innate origin], a change of monumental significance.

Henceforth, as long as it continues to gestate, even if it does not become a perfectly complete Innate Phoenix, it has already gained a direct path to a supreme Great Dao [the Great Dao, the ultimate principle and path of cultivation]. This is truly a heaven-sent opportunity and blessing [a fortuitous encounter and destiny of immense magnitude].

To repay this karmic debt, the nascent consciousness within the Phoenix Egg [a primordial egg containing a phoenix] immediately resolved to pledge its allegiance.

"An Innate Phoenix [a phoenix born of primordial chaos] as its foundation... that means its innate talent would rank among the very pinnacle, even within the ranks of Immortal [beings who have ascended to immortality],"

exclaimed Old Granduncle beside him, unable to contain his astonishment and delight.

Although the wisp of Innate Qi [primordial life-force energy] within the Phoenix Egg was exceedingly faint, a being born of such a primordial foundation possessed a potential that would likely surpass the vast majority of Mythical Immortal Seed [prodigies blessed with a constitution destined for immortal ascension].

Eldrin Chen nodded and said, "However, this Phoenix Egg has only just begun to mend its foundational flaws. It will require several more years before it is ready to hatch."

The Old Patriarch stroked his beard, a smile gracing his features. "That was to be expected. What matter a few years of waiting, so long as the Phoenix Egg is successfully nurtured?"

"Indeed," Eldrin Chen agreed with a light chuckle. "I intend to enter seclusion to comprehend the fifth Secret Power [a profound and esoteric cultivation law]. I must ask you, Old Granduncle, to oversee the clan's defense during this period."

Departing from the Flaming Prison Sea of Fire, Eldrin Chen returned to Spirit Isle Lake and commenced his life of secluded cultivation.

For this retreat, Eldrin Chen focused his efforts primarily on consolidating the final Lifebound Divine Ability [a supreme ability intrinsically linked to one's life and cultivation] and delving into the mysteries of the Wood Attribute Arcane Power [a profound power aligned with the essence of wood].

Thus, time flowed like an arrow in flight. In the blink of an eye, over a century passed. The day of the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied calamity where demonic forces surge from the abyss] drew ever nearer.

On this day, Eldrin Chen was within his Seclusion Chamber contemplating the Wood Source Divine Jade, when he sensed Lyra Jiang entering the Cultivation Cave.

Seeing him, Lyra Jiang inquired, "How do you feel?"

"Still a step away."

Kael Chen shook his head, a trace of solemnity flickering in his gaze.

Having cultivated to his current realm, he understood more profoundly than ever how arduous it was to comprehend a fifth Secret Power [a profound and unique law or principle of power].

The four Secret Power that Eldrin Chen possessed were inherently overwhelmingly potent; each represented a supreme path capable of standing alone as a Great Dao [the ultimate, fundamental principle or law of existence], and thus possessed a powerful exclusivity. Discover more cultivation stories at www . audio-novel.com.

Now, simultaneously repelled and interfered with by these four Secret Power, his attempt to grasp a fifth was proving exceptionally difficult.

After centuries of contemplation, he felt that to fully penetrate the mysteries of the Wood Attribute Secret Power, he was still separated by the thinnest of veils.

Witnessing this, Lyra Jiang spoke, "Your accumulation is now sufficient, and your understanding of the Wood Attribute Arcane Power [a profound ability derived from the power of wood] is already deep. I fear continued seclusion alone may not guarantee a breakthrough."

"Perhaps you should stir from profound stillness. The movement itself might bring the breakthrough."

"Has prolonged stillness stirred thoughts of action?"

Eldrin Chen pondered briefly before rising to inquire, "I have been in secluded cultivation for over a century. How fares the situation within the Eastern Wastelands?"

"Quite a number of events have transpired."

Lyra Jiang nodded and began recounting the tale. "Over this past century, seven individuals within the Eastern Wastelands have attempted to breach the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the spiritual core, a major milestone in cultivation]."

"Among these seven, only Jaxian Huan of the Long River Sacred Land and Alkaid, the Star Lord utilized a Nascent Soul Pill [a legendary elixir that significantly aids in forming the Nascent Soul]."

"While Jaxian Huan succeeded with relative smoothness, the others ultimately met with failure."

Upon hearing this, a complex expression of reflection and sentiment crossed Eldrin Chen's face.

Within the Eastern Wastelands now, many understood that the impending calamity far surpassed those of the past. As the Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a prophesied cataclysmic invasion from the demonic realms] drew near, numerous long-accumulating cultivators at the Half-Step Primordial Spirit [a state of being on the very cusp of the Primordial Spirit Realm] had begun their desperate assaults on the Primordial Spirit Realm.

In the mere span of the last five hundred years, the individuals known to Eldrin Chen who had attempted this breakthrough already numbered a full seventeen.

And in the most recent century alone, a full seven had made the attempt. Among them, besides Jaxian Huan and Alkaid, the Star Lord, were several other familiar faces to Eldrin Chen.

Take, for instance, Ignatius the Violet Flame, Verdant Enchantress Palace Master, Lilith, Mistress of Desire, Desolate Wilderness Sect Master, and Nine Rivers Daoist, among numerous others.

Among these individuals, Ignatius the Violet Flame failed his breakthrough attempt twice. Desolate Wilderness Sect Master, while attempting his breakthrough, was obstructed by formidable enemies and perished before he could even succeed.

Nine Rivers Daoist enjoyed good relations with the Chen Clan and had invited several mighty figures to guard his path. Yet, he too ultimately failed in his breakthrough. Verdant Enchantress Palace Master had the support of Maris the Sea Steader, but still did not achieve success.

Upon careful tallying, only Jaxian Huan among them succeeded in his breakthrough. The rest either failed, perished beneath the External Tribulation [a trial of external calamities sent by heaven] and the Heart Demon Tribulation [an internal trial of one's inner demons], or were struck down by the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a tribulation of divine lightning from the heavens].

In truth, the failure of these individuals was within Eldrin Chen's expectations from the outset.

For a Half-Step Primordial Spirit to attempt a breakthrough into the Primordial Spirit Realm [the realm of the Primordial Spirit, the spiritual core of a high-level cultivator], the probability of success is inherently exceedingly low without the aid of treasures such as an Innate Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure [a supreme treasure born of heaven and earth, imbued with pure Yang energy], Secret Power [esoteric powers or profound insights], or a Nascent Soul Pill [a legendary elixir that aids in forming the Nascent Soul].

Among the group, aside from Jaxian Huan and Alkaid, the Star Lord, none possessed such treasures to aid them. Their failure was, therefore, a foregone conclusion.

Conversely, the reason figures like the former Maris the Sea Steader and Dao Lord Magnus succeeded in their breakthroughs was primarily due to the protection of an Innate Pure Yang Spiritual Treasure, which naturally granted them a far greater chance of success. Read the full novel exclusively on audio–novel.com.