Chapter 1066: Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang (1)

Wu Yuan advanced at a velocity of approximately five hundred thousand li per second through the Spacetime Intersection Layer. Though this speed did not match that of Overlords of Spacetime, it was still extremely fast for an Overlord.

There are three ways to travel between different universes.

Wu Yuan recalled the intelligence he had obtained from the Eldritch Court.

The first is to break free from the constraints of the river of space and time with sheer power, directly entering the cosmic sea, from which one can reach different universes.

However, this required fifth-stage Overlord power, akin to the threshold of Dao Pioneer Eternal strength. Only with such power could one freely break through the restrictions of the river of space and time, to leave or return.

The second method is to find interstitial passages within the rivers of space and time and the cosmic sea. Through these passages, one can enter the cosmic sea.

Wu Yuan mused.

Then by traveling along the cosmic sea, one can reach different universes.

The rivers of space and time where countless universe-born beings lived and the vast cosmic sea existed in two separate spatial dimensions. The first appeared to lie underwater, the latter above the river.

Nevertheless, these two spatial dimensions would connect at their fringes, allowing late-stage Sovereigns and ordinary Overlords to venture into the cosmic sea through these gaps.

The first two methods were essentially one—traveling through the cosmic sea.

But this method had a major drawback: the spatiotemporal locations of each river of space and time were astronomically far apart in the cosmic sea, and one would certainly encounter danger between universes. Overlords usually dared not attempt it.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Those who use the first two methods are typically eternal lifeforms who return to the rivers of space and time, since they find it difficult to traverse the River of Universes.

Wu Yuan noted silently.

The third method involved travelling along the River of Universes.

The River of Universes was akin to a gigantic trunk, with the thirty-six universes branching from it.

The power of the River of Universes was immeasurable. It represented the origin of the samsara cycle of heaven and earth; each cycle began in the River of Universes and then affected the branching rivers of space and time. It was also where the influence of the Primordial Rules was the strongest.

Usually, only universe-born beings can enter the River of Universes.

Wu Yuan recalled.

Most eternal lifeforms can return to the rivers of space and time, yet cannot reach the depths of the River of Universes.

Were there exceptions? Yes!

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu and the Heavenly Imperator.

Wu Yuan thought.

They withstood the backlash of the entire River of Universes, seizing control of a river of space and time, establishing the Eldritch Court Universe and Immortal Court Universe respectively.

The two universes thus became the foundation of the Eldritch Court and Immortal Court, the greatest factions.

With my current power, it would take tens of thousands of years to return to the Ling Jiang Universe if I travel through the cosmic sea.

Wu Yuan considered.

But if I progress along the River of Universes, it would take only a month.

To advance along the River of Universes, one needed Overlord-level power. Nonetheless, late-stage Sovereigns could also traverse the River of Universes by piloting a Xiantian battleship, relying on its power. Traveling between any two universes took about a month.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan journeyed for half a day in the Spacetime Intersection Layer, covering a distance equivalent to trillions of light-years in the Material Spatial Layer. Numerous macrocosms and universe exploration sites went by.

Finally, he arrived at a desolate border of the universe.

The River of Universes!

Beyond the vast universe lay an endless, dark void, a maelstrom where all matter seemed absent.

Enter!

Without hesitation, Wu Yuan swiftly entered the nebulous boundary between the River of Universes and the universe.

Boom~

Torrents of qi streams instantly buffeted Wu Yuan’s body. These strange currents held devastating might, capable of annihilating even a late-stage Sovereign swiftly. However, as a Matter Sovereign equipped with the Azure Origin Armor, Wu Yuan effortlessly withstood the impact.

Xiantian qi streams?

The qi streams surrounding him flowed like river water.

This legendary primordial energy was known by many names— Xiantian qi, chaos spiritual qi, eternal origin qi. Each strand teemed with boundless vitality, and it was these energies that gave rise to the vast universes.

I traversed the River of Universes several times in the past, but was always escorted by an Overlord.

Wu Yuan reflected.

This is my first time crossing it alone.

He extended his perception outward, but the immense River of Universes stretched endlessly, its boundaries nowhere to be found.

Nevertheless, having fully comprehended Greater Laws, Wu Yuan could slightly sense the fluctuations of numerous essences. Among them, one felt familiar, while the others were foreign.

The universe's essence.

Wu Yuan smiled.

These essences were the beacons that guided Sovereigns and Overlords through the vast River of Universes.

Wu Yuan advanced towards the familiar fluctuation, pushing against the currents of the Xiantian qi streams, moving toward the Ling Jiang Universe.

Though the pressure reduced his speed significantly, this effect was mild considering that Wu Yuan was a universe-born being. Should an eternal lifeform enter the River of Universes, countless Xiantian qi streams would rapidly gather to obliterate them if they didn’t retreat swiftly. Even True Saints would perish if they lingered too long.

Xiantian qi is naturally created, standing beyond the reach of time itself. This is why they are the foundation of eternity.

Wu Yuan speculated.

One can only forge Xiantian artifacts with energy from Xiantian qi streams.

Xiantian artifacts were also called eternal artifacts.

But from what Wu Yuan understood, in the deeper reaches of the River of Universes, a more potent and mystical energy existed—Xuanhuang qi. The Xuanhuang Cosmiris was enveloped by innumerable streams of Xuanhuang qi.

Legends say that Xuanhuang qi is Primordial qi, the genuine origin of all energy.

Wu Yuan pondered. It is also said to be the manifestation of the essence of the Primordial Rules.

Of course, even though they were recorded in the intelligence archives, such information was unproven, and Wu Yuan was far from verifying them with his current power.

...

Wu Yuan rapidly departed the Long Shan Universe, advancing within the River of Universes. Compared to the cosmic sea, few dangers lurked here.

As for encountering other powerhouses and getting into a conflict? Considering the expanse of the River of Universes, Overlords were exceedingly scarce.

The borders of every universe allowed free passage; combined with significantly limited perception ranges, the likelihood of Overlords encountering each other during inter-universal travel was extremely low.

Within a month, Wu Yuan approached a familiar universe's essence.

The Ling Jiang Universe.

Wu Yuan fully extended his spatial awareness, vaguely sensing the celestial body enveloped by the myriad Xiantian qi streams.

It wasn't significantly vast, its largest diameter likely less than a light-year. But this was a universe!

From my current perception in the River of Universes, a universe, including its fringes, occupies less than a light-year.

Wu Yuan thought.

Yet upon entering the universe, as spatial dimensions unfold layer upon layer, it can ultimately reach several trillion light-years in the Material Spatial Layer.

It was truly incredible. Wu Yuan vaguely perceived that the Ling Jiang Universe was imbued with endless might, existing in an entirely different level from himself. The disparity couldn’t be described in terms of numbers. This gulf was fundamental, a division between heaven and earth.

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, the Heavenly Imperator—how did they withstand the spatiotemporal operations of an entire river of space and time, embodied by the whole River of Universes?

Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

It was beyond his comprehension.

Was this the unimaginable power of a Dao Zenithel who had reached the fourth step of eternity?

There’s no need to dwell on it. A skyscraper rises from the ground; my task is to carve my own path in the sempiternal stage.

Wu Yuan contemplated.

Ultimately, if I achieve Dao Enlightenment and reach the fourth step, perhaps I’ll understand.

Multiple Dao Masters and other fourth-step Eternals roamed the boundless cosmic sea. Yet only Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu and the Heavenly Imperator had managed to achieve this.

...

Wu Yuan's body refiner self entered the Ling Jiang Universe quietly, continuing to advance through the Spacetime Intersection Layer. Before long, Wu Yuan began approaching the Eldritch Court’s Ling Jiang Saintdom headquarters.

Before he could descend through the spatial dimensions, he sensed an intangible fluctuation ripple by.

"Welcome home, Overlord Wu Yuan," a gentle voice resonated. It was the array spirit.

Wu Yuan understood that any universe’s Saintdom’s headquarters was secured by incredibly powerful arrays, able to unleash immense power.

Not even a fourth-stage Overlord, let alone a third-stage Overlord, could break in without perishing. To annihilate a Saintdom’s headquarters within a universe? One needed to be a fifth-stage Overlord at least.

Exhaling, Wu Yuan swiftly entered the spacetime of the headquarters. The place was filled with countless worlds, with a main world akin to the Taiyuan True Realm, comparable to the combined territory of a macrocosm.

The headquarters housed tens of thousands of Sovereigns year-round. As for Astral Monarchs? One could barely count them.

Countless geniuses from various branch macrocosms came here to receive training and inheritances. This was the foundation of a Saintdom.

With Wu Yuan’s Overlord-level authority, he perceived numerous worlds and so-called ‘forbidden areas’ spoken of by Sovereigns. Within the entire Saintdom, there were almost no secrets to him.

Quickly, Wu Yuan reached the heart of the Myriad River Realm. Its architecture mirrored that of the Myriad River Realm within the Eldritch Court Voidrealm nearly identically.

Exhaling softly, Wu Yuan traversed the rivers of the Myriad River Realm. Late-stage Sovereigns passing by remained unaware of his presence.

Soon, he came to the divine tower that seemed to have stood for eternity, cloaked in light.

Two figures emanating eternal Dao resonances stood not far off in the void.

"Wu Yuan."

"Overlord Wu Yuan," the two Overlords approached with welcoming smiles.

"Overlord Hou Jue, Overlord Huan Guang," Wu Yuan greeted them with a smile.

Overlord Hou Jue needed no introduction.

Overlord Huan Guang was the primary administrator of the Eldritch Court Ling Jiang Saintdom, similar to Overlord Xin Ya's role within the Taiyuan Divine Court. His power was considerable too, at the peak of third-stage Overlord. He was also the only one among nearly twenty Overlords in the Eldritch Court’s Ling Jiang Saintdom besides Wu Yuan to be listed on the Samsara Rankings. Of course, it was only on the secondary list.