Chapter 1074: Ninety-Thousand Years

"You're certain you can accomplish this?" A faint, noncommittal smile appeared on True Saint Bu Xiu’s face. "The Abyss is a treacherous place. Though you aim to slay only a Sovereign and not a Devil Emperor, the difficulty remains extreme."

"I know you possess late-stage Overlord strength, but I fear even that may not suffice." The True Saint shook his head. "One hundred and twenty thousand years is a tight deadline indeed."

To a True Saint, a hundred thousand years or more? Merely the blink of an eye, perhaps passing in a brief nap.

"This disciple will find a way," Wu Yuan intoned gravely.

"Very well." True Saint Bu Xiu nodded. "The path of the mighty is fraught with thorns. Only those with grand aspirations and iron resolve achieve greatness. If you believe this task worth pursuing, then pursue it. I'll not dissuade you further.

"But do not be reckless. Your achievements on the path of cultivation are hard-won. Do not truly perish in the depths of the Abyss."

"Thank you for your counsel, Master," Wu Yuan replied respectfully, understanding the True Saint's good intentions.

Simultaneously, Wu Yuan's mind raced, contemplating how he might kill Sovereign Gui Chi.

"This marks the first true meeting between us master and disciple. I ought to bestow some gifts to commemorate the occasion," True Saint Bu Xiu said with a faint smile. "However, I observe you already possess numerous Xiantian artifacts. Their radiance is so blinding, it nearly dazzles this old man's eyes."

"You jest, Master," Wu Yuan chuckled.

He knew full well that his techniques for concealing Xiantian artifacts could fool Overlords and Perennial Eternals. But faced with a True Saint Eternal? It was only natural that they were seen through at a glance.

The Azure Origin Armor that he wore alone comprised fourteen mid-grade Xiantian artifacts.

"Granting you additional Xiantian artifacts would serve little purpose. You already have more than you can wield." True Saint Bu Xiu waved his hand. "Since you intend to enter the Abyss, I'll gift you a few trinkets instead."

A series of light streams flowed through the spacetime passage, appearing to traverse an infinite span of spacetime before swiftly materializing within the temple.

"What are these?" Wu Yuan examined the objects before him, a questioning look in his eyes. His senses told him none of these items were Xiantian artifacts.

"The first is called the Soul-Veiling Cloak," True Saint Bu Xiu explained. "It's merely a high-grade Dao Instrument, but its construction was rather complex. I forged it after slaying a Perennial powerhouse of the Abyssal Devil race.

"Its function is simple - once deciphered, it allows you to disguise yourself as a Devil Sovereign, emanating an aura akin to that of the Abyssal Devil race."

"A disguise artifact?" Wu Yuan's eyes lit up.

Though both were sempiternal lifeforms, the vital aura of powerhouses born in the Abyss differed markedly from those originating in the universe. Abyssal powerhouses carried a trace of indelible 'devilish qi'. This was unique to the Abyss.

Just as Abyssal powerhouses entering the universe would face suppression and rejection, powerhouses from the universe venturing into the Abyss faced similar issues, easily becoming targets for ambush upon entry.

Wu Yuan had been fretting over this very problem, pondering how he might disguise himself. Unexpectedly, True Saint Bu Xiu had provided a solution.

"It does have limitations," the True Saint continued. "As long as you don't act, you're fine. But the moment you unleash your power, the Abyss will take notice. Other Devil Sovereigns and Devil Emperors will realize your disguise.

"Additionally, this Soul-Veiling Cloak only mimics the soul aura of one Devil Sovereign. This is fixed, it cannot shift between multiple disguises."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

This Soul-Veiling Cloak was akin to a human skin mask in the mortal realm - one mask could only imitate a single face, not ten different ones.

"The second treasure is a soul artifact," True Saint Bu Xiu gestured to a floating red crystal. "It's called the Destiny Fracture Shard. Its effect is straightforward - it instantly amplifies a single karmic thread tenfold."

"Karmic thread?" Wu Yuan mused thoughtfully.

"Abyssal powerhouses are incredibly cunning creatures. Their true selves mostly hide in the deepest recesses of their strongholds, only sending out mana bodies or ether bodies to roam about," True Saint Bu Xiu smiled. "At present, you have no karmic connection to Sovereign Gui Chi.

"Once you slay his mana body or ether body, a karmic thread will form. You can then use the Destiny Fracture Shard to intensify this karmic bond tenfold. By following this amplified karmic perception, locating and slaying his true self will become far more feasible." True Saint Bu Xiu explained.

Wu Yuan held his breath. This Destiny Fracture Shard was truly a wondrous treasure. Alas, being a one-time-use artifact, it could only be employed once.

"The third item is an Overlord Immutable Token," True Saint Bu Xiu continued. "Having ascended to True Saint not long ago, my Saint Realm’s connection to the universe remains strong. My Saint Realm’s projection in the universe surpasses most other True Saints.

“Thus, the suppression I face from the river of space and time is minimal. Powerhouses from other factions struggle to enter the Immutable Land, as it is territory I've claimed.

"Bearing this token, you may freely enter and exit the Immutable Land’s domain. After slaying Sovereign Gui Chi, return to the Creation Divine Hall to see me." True Saint Bu Xiu gazed down at Wu Yuan.

"Many thanks, Master," Wu Yuan said respectfully.

The distorted spacetime within the temple dissipated, the spacetime passage swiftly collapsing. True Saint Bu Xiu's figure gradually blurred.

Soon after, following a brief exchange with the Creation Emissary, Wu Yuan departed the Immutable Land directly via the Spacetime Intersection Layer, returning straight to the Greenridge Macrocosm.

...

The highest temple in the Yuan Realm.

At the far end of the colossal temple stretching ten million li high, Wu Yuan materialized from thin air atop an enormous jade platform. His height now reached a staggering one million li.

No wonder the Creation Dao Master's temple stands eight light-years tall.

Wu Yuan mused silently.

The Creation Dao Master has likely advanced his comprehension of matter profundities to the eternal level.

Those on the path of matter pursued eternal matter, mighty power, and an invincible physical form. Thus, the deeper one's grasp of matter profundities, the further one could evolve their physique and the larger their true body would grow. Wu Yuan, now equivalent to a sixth-stage Sovereign on the path of matter, had a true body reaching a million li in height.

So, during the last thousand years since returning to the Greenridge Macrocosm, Wu Yuan had deliberately constructed an exceptionally tall temple for himself in the Yuan Realm headquarters.

No need to waste energy suppressing my form. Complete relaxation allows for greater focus on cultivation itself.

Wu Yuan reflected, his spirit perfectly serene as he contemplated his next steps.

Snake Ancestor, Hou Lu, Zhu Jiu, Hou Tong...

A series of names flashed through Wu Yuan's mind, along with their faces.

When Wu Yuan first entered the Huanggu World, he was barely a century old. Having spent several hundred years there, his emotional attachment to it ran deep – perhaps not quite matching his feelings for the Summerpeak World, but very close.

If these old friends and companions had perished in the normal course of cultivation and adventuring, Wu Yuan would grieve but find a way to come to terms with it, just as friends from the Summerpeak World occasionally died in their pursuits of cultivation and exploration in the past.

This was the natural order of things. Having cultivated to the Overlord level, Wu Yuan understood the workings of heaven and earth with utmost clarity.

But the entire Huanggu World was utterly erased.

Wu Yuan silently intoned, barely holding in his killing intent.

Worst of all, even in death, they cannot re-enter the cycle of samsara.

For the countless lifeforms in heaven and earth, entering samsara represented a chance to start anew in a sense. Sovereign Black Devil was an example, struggling through endless years, yearning only to re-enter samsara.

Even if True Saint Bu Xiu cannot resurrect them. I must still slay Sovereign Gui Chi to grant them hope of entering samsara.

Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

The challenge lay in how to accomplish this task. At present, Wu Yuan knew nothing of Sovereign Gui Chi.

First, I must strengthen myself further.

Wu Yuan contemplated.

Even with the Sempiternal Creation Pill from Bai Sui, it will still take over ninety thousand years to cultivate my new ether body.

Once the ether body was complete, armed with the Skybreaker Sabers and other Xiantian artifacts, its power would fall only slightly short of Wu Yuan's true self.

The reason the power disparity wasn't greater? It wasn’t because the Azure Origin Armor and Mo Yuan Saber wielded by his body refiner self were insufficiently strong, but rather that they were too strong. Wu Yuan could only harness a fraction of their capabilities thus far.

Normally, one had to be a Dao Pioneer Eternal at least to fully unleash the might of a high-grade Xiantian artifact.

Moreover, possessing Xiantian artifacts like the Skybreaker Sabers meant Wu Yuan's future ether body would rank among the mightiest of Overlords.

With an ether body, my strength will nearly double, and I'll be better equipped to handle various dangers.

Wu Yuan silently pondered.

But it's still not enough. Though the Abyssal Devil race is divided into various factions, they'll unite against outsiders if a powerhouse from the universe appears.

It was just as the Eldritch Court and Immortal Court set aside their grudges to form a temporary alliance when the Abyss invaded. The threat was simply too great.

Once exposed, I'll likely draw the attention of numerous Devil Emperors from the Abyss, some undoubtedly possessing fourth-stage Overlord strength.

Wu Yuan pondered.

Unlike how the thirty-six universes remained separate, preventing Overlord powerhouses from influencing other universes, the Abyss was fundamentally a singular entity. This vast Abyss connected all universes and macrocosms. Thus, if Wu Yuan faced an encirclement, he might draw the attention of Devil Emperors from the entire Abyss.

The Abyss harbors far fewer Overlord-level powerhouses than the universe.

Wu Yuan considered.

But according to the intelligence archives, the total number of Devil Emperors across the entire Abyss likely exceeds a thousand.

Among over a thousand Devil Emperors, the emergence of ten to twenty fourth-stage Overlord powerhouses was quite normal. The mightiest among them might even rival Overlord Bei Zhen in strength.

For now, my power is insufficient.

I'll set ninety thousand years as my deadline! I've only cultivated for just over a hundred thousand years so far. And for the first hundred thousand, I wasn't an Ancestral Pagoda Archon or Dao Master candidate yet.

Wu Yuan silently resolved.

In the coming ninety thousand years, I'll strive to strengthen myself as much as possible. Not only will my body refiner self grow more powerful, but my qi refiner self should also advance significantly.

Once I've cultivated an ether body, I'll enter the Abyss.

Wu Yuan understood that the Abyss was fraught with peril. Without absolute confidence in his ability to preserve his life, he dared not enter.

Wu Yuan genuinely wished to resurrect his friends and avenge them. But he would not act rashly. Only by living were there infinite possibilities.

...

And so, Wu Yuan's two true selves began their first period of secluded cultivation since becoming Overlords, residing within the Greenridge Macrocosm.

His qi refiner self occasionally ventured to universe exploration sites or cultivation sanctuaries. His body refiner self, however, remained within the Yuan Realm, rarely making appearances outside.

This was unsurprising. Wu Yuan's body refiner self had reached the eighth-level Dao Field stage, with insights into Dao pioneering from over a thousand eternal lifeforms. By now, his spirit had drawn infinitely close to the Great Dao. The cultivation sanctuaries within the universe? They would offer little help.

A hundred years, a thousand years... For super powerhouses, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for a single session of secluded cultivation to last millions of years.

However, advancing from the eighth-level to the ninth-level Dao Field stage of the Great Dao of Creation was indeed incredibly difficult. This step, once taken, represented that one was incredibly close to fully comprehending the Great Dao.

Throughout the vast universe, across numerous samsara cycles of heaven and earth, countless powerful Overlords had reached the ninth-level Dao Field stage of comprehension, differing only in the caliber of ultimate techniques they created.

Even for Wu Yuan, who arguably possessed the greatest talent in this samsara cycle of heaven and earth, it would take a very long time.

...

In the 6000th year, Dong Yang finally broke through to become a Sovereign. Though the disturbance wasn't great, it still caused many powerhouses in the Taiyuan Divine Court to let out wistful sighs.

Sovereign Bei You was the most pleased. To be a Sovereign himself, with a disciple who was a Sovereign, and a grand-disciple who was an Overlord – such a thing was rare even in the entire Ling Jiang Universe.

...

In the 18,000th year, with Wu Yuan's help, his mother Wanqin, who had stepped onto the path of cultivation, finally broke through from Earth Immortal to High Immortal. This brought even greater peace to Wu Yuan's heart.

With his full assistance, it wouldn't be difficult for his mother to break through to Archimmortal before her lifespan limit of a million years.

People like Fang Xia and his sister Wu Yijun had already attained Archimmortal-level insights, though they had yet to undergo their Tribulations.

...

By the 26,000th year, Wu Yuan's body refiner self had yet to make a breakthrough in the Great Dao of Creation.

But by dedicating part of his mental energy to deducing the Primordial Doctrine, he reached new heights in his understanding of the Primal Force Diagrams. After another round of physical reconstruction, his physical body reached the seventh-stage Sovereign level.

...

In the 43,000th year, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self broke through to the eighth-level Dao Field stage in the Great Dao of Spacetime, greatly increasing his power.

...

In the 56,000th year, a disturbance arose within the territory of the Eldritch Court governed by Wu Yuan. The Sovereigns under his command entered a conflict with Sovereigns from another Saintdom, erupting into a great battle that plunged the entire macrocosm into chaos.

In the end, Wu Yuan's body refiner self and mana body appeared simultaneously, carrying the Origin Realm Pearl, a Xiantian artifact.

His body refiner self revealed the might of a peak ninth-stage Sovereign, while his mana body displayed peak eighth-stage Sovereign power, quelling this turmoil.

"Ming Jian can unleash peak eighth-stage Sovereign power in other macrocosms? Could his true self already possess second-stage Overlord strength? Is this real?" The entire Ling Jiang Universe was shaken by this.

At the same time, some rumors began to circulate.

"Ming Jian and Wu Yuan divided the macrocosm between them and even joined forces in battle. Their relationship has reached such a level?"

"Legend has it they forged a deep friendship on the Megaverse Crossroads."

"They probably admire each other's talents." Various Saintdoms were curious about the relationship between the two.

...

In the sixty-eight thousandth year, a Xiantian artifact emerged from the Howling Dragon Mountain Range, a universe exploration site in the Ling Jiang Universe.

In this battle, Wu Yuan's body refiner self and mana body once again appeared together. His mana body unleashed second-stage Overlord power. The mighty pressure of his domain overwhelmed numerous Overlords, shocking all sides.

For many Saintdoms, this was confirmation that Ming Jian indeed possessed second-stage Overlord strength.

In this battle, Wu Yuan ultimately obtained a low-grade Xiantian artifact.

...

In the 73,000th year, after tens of thousands of years of secluded cultivation, Wu Yuan's body refiner self finally broke through to the ninth-level Dao Field stage of the Great Dao of Creation. Eternal Dao resonance enveloped him.

At the ninth-level Dao Field stage, there was no distinction between shallow and profound. Reaching this step meant one had comprehended all the profundities of a Great Dao, lacking only the final step of integration.

However, Wu Yuan was still unsatisfied. Merely breaking through in Dao comprehension did not significantly increase his body refiner self's power, after all, the ultimate technique he previously created, the Wheel of Life and Death, already reached the Overlord level in terms of power.

Now, my comprehension of the Dao has grown even deeper. Over the past tens of thousands of years, I’ve continually reflected on the Dao-pioneering insights of more than a thousand Eternals, steadily accumulating a far more profound understanding.

I have hope of creating an even stronger ultimate technique, perhaps even an eternal-level ultimate technique.

Wu Yuan continued to cultivate wholeheartedly, eager to create an even more powerful ultimate technique.

Time flowed on. In the blink of an eye, over ninety thousand years passed, and Wu Yuan's ether body was finally brought into existence.