Chapter 1051: The Immortal Court's 'Special Treatment' (1)

After slaying thousands of Sovereigns and causing such a commotion, it was impossible for the Overlords of the Eldritch Court’s Long Shan Saintdom to remain unaware, given the spies planted in the Immortal Court.

Let’s leave this place first. There’s no need to linger in this Windstorm Labyrinth further; it’s time to prepare to leave the Long Shan Universe.

Wu Yuan decided with a slight shake of his head, glancing toward the depths of the Windstorm Sea which continued to emit grand Dao fluctuations.

Powerhouses from various Saintdom forces all believed that a Xiantian artifact was about to emerge. Only Wu Yuan understood that it was merely a trick played by Bai Sui and Hong Qin.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan continued to investigate his trove of newfound treasures while flying towards the boundary of the Windstorm Labyrinth.

Simultaneously, a strand of consciousness entered the Eldritch Court Voidrealm, whereupon he was bombarded with numerous messages, most sent by other Overlords.

So many messages from the Overlords.

Wu Yuan was inwardly surprised, skimming quickly through them.

Almost all were along the lines of "Congratulations!" "Overlord Wu Yuan, I am..." "Overlord Wu Yuan, see you in the Eldritch Progenitor Hall".

Most came from the Eldritch Court’s Long Shan Saintdom and the Eldritch Court’s Ling Jiang Saintdom.

Previously, though Wu Yuan claimed a Saintcrest and was known as a peerless genius, not many Eldritch Court Overlords were willing to visit him voluntarily. It was nothing like the enthusiasm seen now.

All of them are calling me ‘Overlord’?

Wu Yuan mused.

It seems that news of this battle is spreading swiftly. The ancients weren’t wrong – in weakness, danger surrounds; in strength, kindness abounds.

Wu Yuan saw this truth ever more clearly; strength was the true foundation of everything. Third-stage Overlord strength was enough to earn the respect of all Overlords.

However, news of this battle likely hasn’t reached the Eldritch Court headquarters yet.

Wu Yuan pondered, rapidly sending replies to these Overlords.

Each Overlord potentially had hope of achieving eternity. If unnecessary, Wu Yuan naturally wouldn’t intentionally offend anyone.

Wu Yuan followed the guidance of the realm spirit within the Eldritch Court Voidrealm, arriving at the Overlord Temple of the Long Shan Plane.

With a thought, the scenery shifted around Wu Yuan’s avatar, and he found himself within the temple.

"Overlord Wu Yuan."

"You’ve arrived." Voices rose around him, and he saw four figures within the temple, all Overlords he’d met before.

"Overlord Hou Jue, Overlord Ming Zhun, Overlord Huan Jin, Overlord Zi Wu." Wu Yuan nodded with a warm smile.

"Haha, why call us Overlords? Just use our names," the burly and authoritative Overlord Zi Wu chuckled warmly, "In terms of strength, only Ming Zhun comes close to you."

"Indeed, just call us by name," Overlord Ming Zhun smiled as well.

Wu Yuan smiled knowingly at Overlord Zi Wu; last time, the latter hadn’t been very cordial.

Now, he acted as if they were long-lost friends.

"Wu Yuan, my past behavior was wrong, I offer my apologies," Overlord Zi Wu candidly admitted, then sighed in marvel, "We’ve heard about your battle — you slayed over over four thousand Sovereign mana and ether bodies?"

"Yes," Wu Yuan nodded.

"And then you slew Overlords Wan Du and Yan Chi’s ether bodies in succession?" Overlord Zi Wu asked.

"Correct," Wu Yuan replied.

The gazes of Overlord Ming Zhun and Overlord Hou Jue grew even brighter. Even though they already knew it, hearing Wu Yuan recount it again still left them somewhat awestruck.

Many Overlords would slay dozens of Sovereigns in illustrious battles when first establishing their reputation, with those capable of killing hundreds being rare.

But Wu Yuan? He slaughtered thousands of Sovereigns in one battle. One couldn’t say that such a feat was without precedent, but it was still exceedingly rare.

"Incredible!" Overlord Zi Wu exclaimed in awe, "Honestly, when you were just an Astral Monarch with multiple Xiantian artifacts, I was a bit unconvinced. Now, I am impressed.

"I’m guessing you possess Overlord combat power even without any external artifacts," Overlord Zi Wu stated.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly. Indeed, even without relying on any Xiantian artifacts, his body refiner self possessed first-stage Overlord strength.

As for Dao Instruments? They were but embellishments to an Overlord, not greatly influencing this power.

"To achieve such feats in merely a hundred thousand years... You might be the first since this samsara cycle of heaven and earth began." Overlord Zi Wu marveled.

Wu Yuan chuckled silently. Previously, Overlord Zi Wu had clearly looked down on him, but now he seemed like a fan.

"Wu Yuan, the Immortal Court's Long Shan Saintdom has issued an order for retreat; it seems they’re abandoning this inter-Saintdom war," Overlord Ming Zhun remarked.

"Retreating?" Wu Yuan nodded. It was to be expected.

In the past two thousand years of clashes, though the Immortal Court side had a slight advantage, it had not been overwhelming. The losses they had taken from the final battle had simply been too great, upsetting the power balance and prompting the Immortal Court's retreat. If they continued fighting, the losses would outweigh the gains. With this, Wu Yuan had fulfilled his objectives.

"Wu Yuan, the contributions you’ve made to our victory in this inter-Saintdom war are tremendous. I've reported this battle to Eldritch Progenitor Wan Xuan, who decreed that you’d be awarded an additional low-grade Xiantian artifact; you can claim it in the Eldritch Progenitor Hall," Overlord Ming Zhun informed him.

Xiantian artifact? Eldritch Progenitor Wan Xuan? Wu Yuan was inwardly startled; he hadn’t expected such generosity.

By now, he understood that each Eldritch Saintdom branch across the thirty-four universes was backed by an Eldritch Progenitor who had reached the True Saint stage.

"My thanks to Eldritch Progenitor Wan Xuan," Wu Yuan declared solemnly.

"Eldritch Progenitor Wan Xuan also said that the impact of this battle is immense. Though you did not attack them proactively, the scale of slaughter might prompt the Immortal Court to take further action — you need to be careful," Overlord Ming Zhun cautioned, "Overlord Huan Jin is on his way to the Windstorm Labyrinth; it would be safer to return together with her."

"Overlord Huan Jin?" Wu Yuan inquired, slightly surprised.

"Yes, I’ll arrive in about half a year," Overlord Huan Jin said, "With me escorting you, you should be able to leave the Creation Dao Realm in less time, approximately in eighty years."

"Eighty years?" Wu Yuan froze for a moment.

From the intelligence from Bai Sui, he knew of hidden spatial channels that could allow him to depart in twenty years.

However, Wu Yuan chose not to dispute this, smiling, "Then, I'll have to trouble Overlord Huan Jin."

Wu Yuan pondered briefly and decided against using the hidden spatial channels. If discovered, astute deductions could reveal his special relationship with the Creation Dao Realm.

Without absolute strength, Wu Yuan didn’t wish to be exposed as a Dao Master candidate, especially to the Immortal Court.

Each and every Dao Master was a fourth-step Eternal, shaping the destinies across the boundless megaverse.

Once the Immortal Court was aware of this, they would spare no effort to eliminate him, even the descent of the legendary Heavenly Imperator wouldn't be out of the question.

...

After an enthusiastic and prolonged exchange with Overlord Ming Zhun, Overlord Zi Wu, and Overlord Huan Jin, Wu Yuan departed with Overlord Hou Jue.

Within the temple, the three Overlords of the Eldritch Court’s Long Shan Saintdom remained.

"Eldritch Progenitor Wan Xuan actually rewarded him with a Xiantian artifact," Overlord Huan Jin remarked thoughtfully, "That goes beyond the standard eldritch merit rewards."

“If it were us, we’d do the same,” Overlord Ming Zhun shook his head, "Overlord Wu Yuan is incredibly prodigious; to reach such heights in merely a hundred thousand years is miraculous. It’s truly unbelievable."

"A Xiantian artifact may be immensely precious to us, but to an Eldritch Progenitor, it isn’t much." Overlord Ming Zhun observed.

Overlord Huan Jin and Overlord Zi Wu both nodded in agreement.

"I am somewhat curious, though." Overlord Zi Wu commented suddenly, "It’s one thing for Wu Yuan to cultivate swiftly — such extraordinary, inexplicable prodigies exist, like the former Heavenly Imperator of the Immortal Court and Brother Wu Yuan himself.

"But no matter how strong, one cannot defy the laws of the River of Universes. Wu Yuan is a universe-born being from the Ling Jiang Universe. How is he immune to the Dao Realm’s effects of suppression?"

"It is rather odd," Overlord Huan Jin agreed.

"The Dao Realm isn’t like outer space; being a place established by a Dao Master, some areas are quite peculiar," Overlord Ming Zhun explained, "Overlord Wu Yuan’s true self entered the Dao Realm and disappeared for two thousand years; presumably, he found some grand opportunity.

"However, this is his secret, and not ours to delve into."

The three nodded tacitly.

“Do you think Wu Yuan’s recent exploits qualify him to enter the Eternal Register?" Overlord Huan Jin asked suddenly.

"Eternal Register?"

“The legendary Eternal Register?” Overlord Ming Zhun and Overlord Zi Wu’s expressions subtly shifted, evidently familiar with the myth.

"Hard to say. Being immortalized in the Eternal Register is a desire of many Overlords throughout all samsara cycles.

“In theory, the last battle shouldn’t qualify him for such an honor, as he hasn’t even reached fourth-stage Overlord,” Overlord Ming Zhun pondered, “However, given he's achieved this in a mere hundred thousand years, so there is a chance.

“Furthermore, considering the strength he demonstrated in this battle, he seems poised to feature in the Samsara Rankings."

"Samsara Rankings?"

“The prestigious Samsara Rankings with only two hundred spots?" A tinge of envy flickered in the eyes of Overlord Huan Jin and Overlord Zi Wu.

The three of them were still far from entering the Samsara Rankings.

...

Wu Yuan and Overlord Hou Jue traversed the Eldritch Court Voidrealm, swiftly returning to the Myriad River Realm in the Ling Jiang Plane.

"Overlord."

"Sovereign Wu Yuan." The Astral Monarchs guarding the temple on both sides saluted respectfully.

Evidently, news of the battle in the Creation Dao Realm had yet to spread within the Ling Jiang Saintdom of the Eldritch Court.

Wu Yuan and Overlord Hou Jue stepped into the temple.

"Wu Yuan." Overlord Hou Jue looked at Wu Yuan with a complex expression. "I never expected that you would surpass me in the blink of an eye.

"Back then, when I traveled to the Greenridge Macrocosm to invite you to the Megaverse Crossroads, you were so young and inexperienced," Overlord Hou Jue shook his head.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but smile. "Regardless of how strong I become, Overlord Hou Jue, you will always be a senior in my eyes.

"Moreover, in terms of Dao comprehension, I'm just about comparable to you now," Wu Yuan said. "One could even say I'm still somewhat inferior. It's only thanks to my treasures that I possess the strength of a third-stage Overlord."

This was the truth. Wu Yuan comprehended the Great Dao of Creation, reaching the eighth-level Dao Field stage, which was slightly lower than Overlord Hou Jue, and it was only by creating his own ultimate technique that he could compete.

"Possessing treasures is also a form of strength," Overlord Hou Jue shook his head. "Why could you obtain treasures while I could not? Naturally, it's because you have something that surpasses me."

Wu Yuan was left speechless.

"You achieved a great victory. Will your true self return directly to the Ling Jiang Universe?" Overlord Hou Jue inquired.

"Yes," Wu Yuan nodded.

The endeavors in the Creation Dao Realm yielded substantial gains. Now, he needed time to prepare for the imminent Xuanhuang Cosmiris. Unless necessary, there was no need to stir up trouble.

"I've already reported the matter to Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang," Overlord Hou Jue stated. "The Eldritch Progenitor has said that he will meet with you once you return."

"Meet the Eldritch Progenitor?" Wu Yuan nodded slightly. Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang was the superior of Wu Yuan’s body refiner self in name, though they had yet to meet.