Chapter 1064: Not Willing to Give Them Up? I'll Beat You Until You Do (1)

The doors of the meditation chamber burst open with a thunderous clang. Clad in white robes, Astral Monarch Dong Yang flew out, his aura noticeably transformed.

"Master, congratulations on fully comprehending the Law of Life. The Sovereign phase is within reach," Wu Yuan rose to greet him.

"Haha, Ming Jian, I truly must thank you," Astral Monarch Dong Yang laughed, exuding an air of confidence.

He had spent only around a million years to fully comprehend a Greater Law, a feat that spoke volumes to his extraordinary talent.

While this was partly due to numerous fortuitous encounters and the Megaverse Crossroads, this could all be considered his providence. Those blessed by providence found that everything worked out easily.

The path of cultivation stretched on endlessly. The process mattered little; results were the most important.

In Wu Yuan's estimation, given Master Dong Yang's now-evident talent and providence, he stood a strong chance of reaching the late-stage Sovereign level through his own efforts given enough time. As for the Overlord level? That would depend on fate.

"Master, shall we go retrieve Martial Aunt?" Wu Yuan suggested. "I sense her mind is unsettled. It seems things did not go smoothly."

"Oh?" Astral Monarch Dong Yang's brow furrowed slightly.

Wu Yuan's acquaintance with Astral Monarch Ji Shuang was brief. He held no ill will toward her, but neither did he particularly like her.

However, Astral Monarch Dong Yang clearly harbored deep feelings for Astral Monarch Ji Shuang.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan put away the Dao Instrument hall. Then, they swiftly flew to the edge of the massive star.

Rumble!

The roiling, lava-like streams of fire parted, revealing patches of frost on either side—the work of Astral Monarch Ji Shuang's arcane arts. She then emerged, flying toward Wu Yuan and Astral Monarch Dong Yang.

"Dear, Senior." Astral Monarch Ji Shuang greeted them as she approached.

Her expression had returned to normal, even wearing a faint smile. However, she was unaware that Wu Yuan had already sensed everything long before.

"Shuang'er, how did it go?" Astral Monarch Dong Yang stepped forward.

Wu Yuan stood to the side, observing calmly.

"I made some gains," Astral Monarch Ji Shuang nodded. "The inheritance grotto held nine trials in total. I passed the first six, but was ultimately trapped in the seventh and forced to exit. Still, my gains were substantial. I've gained clarity on advancing to the Sovereign phase in the future."

"Any gain is good," said Astral Monarch Dong Yang. "An inheritance left by a late-stage Overlord powerhouse wouldn't easily yield all its treasures."

In Astral Monarch Dong Yang's view, Astral Monarch Ji Shuang's gains from this venture were already considerable.

"Very well. Now that you've completed the trials, we should prepare to depart for the Ling Jiang Universe," Wu Yuan said, his voice still hoarse, concealing his true identity.

"Senior," Astral Monarch Ji Shuang suddenly spoke up. "My husband and I may never return once we leave for the Ling Jiang Universe. Some of my gains from the grotto are of no use in my hands, so I thought to give them to you."

"Oh?" Wu Yuan was momentarily taken aback. Give them to him?

"Ming Jian, take it," Astral Monarch Dong Yang's voice echoed in Wu Yuan's mind. "This item is of little use to us. Your body refiner self is part of the Eldritch Court—perhaps it will be useful for the Eldritch Court's Long Shan Saintdom."

Wu Yuan instantly understood that Astral Monarch Ji Shuang must have communicated privately with his master. Her decision to give him this item was likely made at his master's suggestion.

"Please look, Senior." Astral Monarch Ji Shuang waved her hand. A crimson tower, about a thousand li tall, materialized in the void. It had seven levels and emanated a rather extraordinary aura.

A Dao Instrument! And at least a mid-grade one at that.

This?

Wu Yuan's pupils constricted slightly as he detected a familiar aura. Even its appearance was strikingly similar.

"Senior, though this treasure is only a mid-grade Dao Instrument, it serves as a token for Overlord Ye Mi's grotto," Astral Monarch Ji Shuang explained respectfully. "The holder of this token may enter the grotto to receive the inheritance, bypassing the tests at the inheritance grounds. This was one of my rewards for reaching the seventh trial.

"However, it's limited to beings from the Qiu Yan Macrocosm, and one cannot exceed the Astral Monarch phase.

"It's of no use to us, so we're entrusting it to you, Senior," Astral Monarch Ji Shuang concluded.

"A token?" Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

He had already deduced the token's purpose. Overlord Ye Mi had most likely forged it to allow more talented juniors to enter his grotto.

"Very well. Then I shall accept it." Wu Yuan nodded.

With a wave of his hand, powerful mana surged forth, deciphering the crimson tower floating in the void. The tower shrank swiftly, turning into a miniature version of itself in Wu Yuan's palm, its aura completely concealed.

"You two may enter my grotto-heaven artifact and cultivate in peace," Wu Yuan instructed. "When we reach the Ling Jiang Universe, I will send you a message."

"Alright," Astral Monarch Ji Shuang agreed. Astral Monarch Dong Yang also nodded slightly.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan waved his hand, drawing the two into his grotto-heaven artifact. Only he remained in this expanse of void.

The token to Overlord Ye Mi's grotto?

Wu Yuan raised his hand, his gaze falling upon the one-inch-tall crimson tower in his palm.

Only beings of the Qiu Yan Macrocosm can use it?

Wu Yuan muttered, his eyes betraying a hint of confusion.

But why does this token bear such a striking resemblance to the Azure Saint Watchtower?

Indeed! This crimson tower before him was nearly identical in form to the Azure Saint Token that Wu Yuan had previously obtained. Only the colors differed—one azure, one crimson. That was why Wu Yuan was so startled when he first saw it.

Furthermore, after swiftly deciphering this token, Wu Yuan confirmed that this crimson tower was merely a mid-grade Dao Instrument. Unlike the Azure Saint Token, it didn't contain a heaven-defying secret art like the ‘Azure Divine Sacrifice’.

This crimson tower only contained some information, mostly pertaining to Overlord Ye Mi's grotto. There were spacetime coordinates of the Overlord's grotto.

Putting aside the scant information recorded by Overlord Ye Mi, this crimson tower is just a very ordinary mid-grade Dao Instrument.

Wu Yuan frowned slightly.

But in terms of its Dao essence structure, form, and the unique quality it exudes, it's identical to the Azure Saint Watchtower.

As if cast from the same mold.

Considering that Overlord Ye Mi had attained third-stage Overlord strength early in the samsara cycle of heaven and earth, only to perish when his true self ventured into the cosmic sea...

Sending one’s true self on an expedition is dangerous enough, let alone venturing into the cosmic sea. Even late-stage Overlord strength amounts to little in the vast cosmic sea, yet he insisted on going.

And just before heading to the cosmic sea, he went to great lengths to leave his inheritance behind within the Qiu Yan Macrocosm?

Wu Yuan's brow furrowed.

For some reason, Wu Yuan's thoughts instinctively turned to Overlord Bloodforge.

Overlord Bloodforge and Overlord Ye Mi had very similar cultivation trajectories. Both had reached the late-stage Overlord level early on. Overlord Bloodforge had even advanced to fourth-stage Overlord before failing in his attempt to achieve eternity.

Yet both seemed to have prepared for it somehow. Overlord Bloodforge had hidden away in the Bloodforge Spacetime, while Overlord Ye Mi had left behind an Overlord's grotto.

In truth, super powerhouses like Overlord Ye Mi who were willing to leave inheritances were not uncommon. Many strong cultivators were reluctant to take on disciples or nurture juniors, viewing it as a waste of time and energy. But as death approached, most grew desperate to pass on their legacy.

However, cases like Overlord Ye Mi's—seemingly predicting his own demise and arranging such an impressive inheritance grotto in advance—were exceedingly rare.

Could it be that Overlord Ye Mi foresaw his own death?

Wu Yuan mused, examining the crimson tower in his hand.

Or did Overlord Ye Mi truly obtain the Azure Saint Token as well, venturing into the Azure Saint Tomb with it, only to perish within?

And this crimson tower—was it forged by Overlord Ye Mi in imitation of the Azure Saint Watchtower?

Why craft his own token in this particular form? Is there some special purpose?

The more Wu Yuan pondered, the more perplexed he became, even finding his own conjectures somewhat absurd. Could such coincidences truly exist?

After a moment's reflection, Wu Yuan shook his head, a faint smile playing at his lips.

There's no point in idle speculation here. This crimson tower alone won't yield any further insights.

If I return to the Ling Jiang Universe now, coming back would be quite troublesome if I decided to investigate the matter in the future.

Giving the crimson tower to the Eldritch Court's Long Shan Saintdom? That held little meaning. After all, the Qiu Yan Macrocosm wasn't part of the Eldritch Court's domain, nor had they recruited powerhouses from there.

Very well, I'll inquire with the spirit of Overlord Ye Mi's grotto.

Wu Yuan decided.

Once he asked, all would become clear. But how should he go about doing it? To enter the grotto as a token holder, one could only be an Astral Monarch at most.

Wu Yuan's gaze fell upon the massive star in the distance. He took a step forward.

...

Rumble!

The colossal star began to tremble faintly. Endless streams of flame and light bubbled and churned across its surface, as if two super powerhouses were locked in an epic battle in the star's deepest reaches.

In the innermost depths of the star...

Boom!

Wu Yuan's vast vital aura erupted without restraint. The sheer pressure caused the scorching gases and liquids surrounding him to scatter and recede.

A massive passage appeared, flanked on both sides by red substances emitting searing heat.

It's right there.

Wu Yuan's gaze fell upon a spot not far ahead.

As the fiery red matter receded, a one-million-li long road was revealed, forged entirely from a strange black substance. It resembled stone, yet also seemed metallic.

This black pathway appeared to have endured for countless years in the star's deepest depths, completely intact. The star's internal forces raged, yet failed to leave even the slightest mark upon its surface.

Shadowmist Bloodcrystal?

Wu Yuan recognized the black material's composition at a glance. It was an excellent material for equipment forging.

This road of Shadowmist Bloodcrystal, stretching a million li, was worth a fortune—nearly as valuable as a top-grade Dao Instrument. Truly a display of the creator's grand largesse.

This road must be an anchor point for a set of spatial coordinates.

Wu Yuan vaguely surmised.

Overlord Ye Mi's grotto is in constant motion.

However, while this black pathway was invaluable overall, it was fused with the surrounding void into a unified whole. Wu Yuan estimated that even ordinary Sovereigns would struggle to remove it.

Wu Yuan certainly had the power to do so, but he held no interest in this road.

His gaze fell directly upon an enormous altar at the end of the road.

The altar and the entire road formed a single, cohesive structure.

If I didn’t perceive it wrong, Astral Monarch Ji Shuang emerged from that altar.

Wu Yuan murmured to himself.

Behind the altar, there seems to be a vast expanse of spacetime—that must be Overlord Ye Mi's grotto.