Chapter 1084: Eternals Descend, Resurrection (1)

The combat power of Overlords was not suppressed in any of the thirty-six sectors of the Abyss, yet distinct boundaries existed due to the True Saints backing each sector.

Once a Devil Emperor achieved eternity and ascended to True Saint, it was far easier for them to return to their home sector than to other sectors in the Abyss.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

This mirrored the True Saints of the universes. True Saint Taiyuan could easily descend upon the Ling Jiang Universe with minimal suppression, but faced terrible obstacles descending elsewhere.

Sector 13 fell under True Saint Ji Guang's sphere of influence, granting him tremendous sway over the vast domain.

The Ji Guang Devil Realm served as True Saint Ji Guang's anchor point within Sector 13. It was also revered as a 'Saintdom' in the hearts of countless Devil Emperors across Sector 13.

Today, a multitude of Devil Emperor incarnations converged here.

Within the majestic, boundless temple.

"We pay our respects to the True Saint." Over thirty Devil Emperors bowed, their auras varied—some bizarre and frenzied, others vast as infernos, some fathomless as abysses, and a few cold as glaciers. Each one was unique.

In the world outside, these Devil Emperors held lofty statuses, their might shaking vast territories, commanding countless Sovereigns and Astral Monarchs. But within this temple, they were merely ordinary members.

The towering black-robed figure at the temple's end exuded an aura of boundless might, utterly dwarfing these Devil Emperors.

It was True Saint Ji Guang.

"You should all be aware of the situation. Detailed intelligence on Devil Emperor Xia has already been disseminated," True Saint Ji Guang's gaze swept across each Devil Emperor.

"A Flower of Sin was stolen by Devil Emperor Xia. This Devil Emperor Xia is an unknown figure, and it appears he has never displayed such power in the Abyss before. Yet he possesses fourth-stage Overlord combat power—this is indisputable.

"I hope you will mobilize the strength of your subordinate Astral Monarchs and Sovereigns to search for Devil Emperor Xia throughout the Abyss.

"Should you find his trail, the reward is a mid-grade Xiantian artifact.

"If you can slay him and present me with the Flower of Sin, I shall bestow a high-grade Xiantian artifact or treasure of equal value. Moreover, I will spare no effort to guide you to achieve eternity." True Saint Ji Guang spoke slowly.

These words ignited a fervent gleam in the eyes of the dozens of Devil Emperors within the hall.

The rewards were astounding. A mid-grade Xiantian artifact merely for finding a trail, and a high-grade Xiantian artifact for slaying the target?

"Fourth-stage Overlord combat power?"

"His physical defense seems extremely strong. With our power alone, killing him may prove impossible." The thirty-plus Devil Emperors quickly sobered, realizing how difficult obtaining a high-grade Xiantian artifact would be.

Moreover, if they truly managed to slay Devil Emperor Xia, whether they'd be willing to hand over the Flower of Sin was another matter entirely.

"Move out!" True Saint Ji Guang gazed down upon the assembled Devil Emperors.

"Yes, True Saint." The Devil Emperor incarnations dispersed one by one.

In the end, only a withered, skeletal figure in blood-red robes remained.

"True Saint." Devil Emperor Xue Gu bowed respectfully.

"Xue Gu, is your true self willing to take the field?" True Saint Ji Guang fixed his gaze upon Devil Emperor Xue Gu.

"True Saint, this subordinate is afraid," Devil Emperor Xue Gu maintained a humble posture, respectfully replying, "If this subordinate cultivates a new mana body, I will certainly send it to pay my respects. However, this subordinate has but one life, and my true self is unwilling to join the battle."

True Saint Ji Guang's brow furrowed slightly.

In truth, before gathering the numerous Devil Emperor incarnations, he had already met privately with Devil Emperor Xue Gu, hoping his true self would be willing to fight.

After all, while other Devil Emperors could search for Devil Emperor Xia, they didn’t know his soul aura nor had any connection to him, severely limiting their efficiency.

Devil Emperor Xue Gu was different. His karmic tie with Devil Emperor Xia was strong, the karmic thread crystal clear. If further enhanced by karmic treasures to clarify the thread, he could determine Devil Emperor Xia's presence in an area as long as he was nearby. His search efficiency would easily surpass other Devil Emperors by thousands or even tens of thousands of times.

Unfortunately, no matter how True Saint Ji Guang persuaded or enticed him, Devil Emperor Xue Gu remained unmoved, only agreeing to send a mana body to fight. But creating a new mana body would take him at least a million years.

"Very well, then send your mana body to fight when the time comes," True Saint Ji Guang said. "Tell me your true self's location, and I'll arrange for other Devil Emperors to deliver the Sempiternal Creation Pill to you, allowing you to quickly cultivate a new mana body."

"The True Saint is too kind," Devil Emperor Xue Gu said respectfully. "But there's no need to trouble yourself. I will arrange for my subordinate Sovereigns to come to the Ji Guang Devil Realm to collect the Sempiternal Creation Pill."

A chill flashed through True Saint Ji Guang's eyes for an instant before he smiled. "Very well, then I'll trouble you with that."

With that, Devil Emperor Xue Gu's incarnation dissipated.

This Xue Gu is truly cautious.

True Saint Ji Guang frowned slightly. He naturally perceived Devil Emperor Xue Gu's wariness—he was utterly unwilling to reveal his true self's location.

In truth, True Saint Ji Guang harbored significant dissatisfaction towards Devil Emperor Xue Gu. If he had revealed the Flower of Sin earlier, things wouldn’t have gotten this troublesome.

Yet I can't push him too hard. If pressed, he might pass news of the Flower of Sin to other True Saints.

True Saint Ji Guang furrowed his brow.

Over the last nine samsara cycles of heaven and earth, multiple True Saints had emerged among the Abyss's thirty-six sectors.

I can't place too much hope in these Devil Emperors.

True Saint Ji Guang mused silently.

...

Within that unremarkable mid-level Abyssal world in Sector 9.

Hmph! Trying to locate my true self's whereabouts?

Devil Emperor Xue Gu sneered.

I fear that once my true self's location is discovered, third-stage or even fourth-stage Overlord powerhouses would be sent to capture me. Then I'd be forced to charge at the forefront of the hunt for Devil Emperor Xia.

Indeed, he hated Devil Emperor Xia and wished for revenge. But all of this was predicated on one condition—not endangering his own life. His previous battle with Wu Yuan had already terrified him.

I can no longer remain in Sector 9.

Devil Emperor Xue Gu pondered briefly.

I'll go to Sector 2. With three True Saints there, the strife is most chaotic, making it ideal for concealing myself.

He had but one thought now—to distance himself from both True Saint Ji Guang and Devil Emperor Xia.

...

I never imagined it would actually be a Flower of Sin!

Devil Emperor Ku Mu stood within his own temple, a hint of shock flickering in his eyes.

No wonder that Devil Emperor Xia was so desperate to capture Sovereign Gui Chi, even willing to pay the price of a Xiantian artifact.

His intent to slay Sovereign Gui Chi was false. Killing Devil Emperor Xue Gu to seize the Flower of Sin was likely his true goal.

Devil Emperor Ku Mu mused.

He was convinced that Devil Emperor Xia had long known of the Flower of Sin's existence.

Ah, a Flower of Sin.

A glimmer of desire flashed through Devil Emperor Ku Mu's eyes.

A high-grade Xiantian artifact? In his eyes, it paled in comparison to the Flower of Sin.

But this Devil Emperor Xia actually possesses fourth-stage Overlord strength?

A gleam flickered in Devil Emperor Ku Mu's eyes.

Other Devil Emperors were unfamiliar with Devil Emperor Xia's soul aura and lacked karmic threads connecting them, but Devil Emperor Ku Mu had the advantage of both. Though their karmic thread wasn't particularly strong, it existed. His search efficiency would far surpass that of other Devil Emperors.

I'll take the risk. My ether body will search. If I can confirm his whereabouts, it means a scoring mid-grade Xiantian artifact.

A glint of greed flashed in Devil Emperor Ku Mu's eyes.

He, a mighty third-stage Overlord powerhouse, didn't even possess a single mid-grade Xiantian artifact to this day.

"Daoist Devil Emperor Xia, I have urgent matters to discuss. Might we meet?" Devil Emperor Ku Mu sent a message directly through his token.

He waited for a long time.

Finally, a message came through the token, just one word: "No."

Then, no matter how many messages Devil Emperor Ku Mu sent, they vanished like stones sinking into the sea, receiving no response.

Devil Emperor Xia is truly cunning.

Devil Emperor Ku Mu thought to himself.

I'll have to search for him in person.

Soon after, Devil Emperor Ku Mu's mana body left his lair, scouting the surroundings of the Blood Bone Mountain Range in Sector 13.

...

In Sector 13 of the Abyss.

This Devil Emperor Ku Mu truly thinks me a fool.

Wu Yuan's body refiner self was currently hurtling toward the Abyssal Void at roughly forty thousand times the speed of light.

Wu Yuan understood the value of the Flower of Sin. After receiving the message from Devil Emperor Ku Mu He, he instantly deduced Devil Emperor Ku Mu's intentions and couldn't be bothered to engage further.

However, it seems the Ancestral Pagoda can exert some influence on the Flower of Sin.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes.

Throughout his journey, he had tried numerous methods to stimulate the Flower of Sin's growth, all to no avail.

That was until he shifted the vast sea of blood housing the Flower of Sin—ten billion li across and a hundred million li deep—into his internal world. Then, with a thought, he summoned the Ancestral Pagoda's projection. Under its influence, the Flower of Sin showed a slight reaction, actively emitting waves of sacred, soothing energy.

Moreover, beneath the Ancestral Pagoda's projection, the Flower of Sin seems to have begun actively absorbing blood from that sea, growing slowly.

Wu Yuan pondered silently.

Previously, without the Ancestral Pagoda's projection, the Flower of Sin showed no change whatsoever.

The Flower of Sin. A sacred bloom nurtured amidst endless sin.

That sea of blood differs from ordinary blood. Devil Emperor Xue Gu likely refined it through some special method, turning it into nourishment to cultivate the Flower of Sin.

Wu Yuan hypothesized.

His guess was close to the mark. However, he was limited by his current perspective, unable to fully confirm it.

I should meet with Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.

Wu Yuan mused.

He had considered consulting with Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang or True Saint Taiyuan. However, the Flower of Sin was too significant a matter.

If I were to obtain a high-grade Xiantian artifact, those two True Saints might not care much.

After all, high-grade Xiantian artifacts are of little use to them.

Wu Yuan thought to himself.

But the Flower of Sin holds great value for True Saints.

If Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang and True Saint Taiyuan found out, would they be tempted? Wu Yuan didn't distrust the two True Saints. He simply didn't want to tempt them. The human heart could not withstand such tests.

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu was the only exception. Forget one Flower of Sin; even if there were ten or even a hundred of them, she likely wouldn’t care at all.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan sped along his path.

Fortunately, Wu Yuan’s true identity had never been exposed. Even True Saint Ji Guang believed him to be a Devil Emperor of the Abyss. Otherwise, Devil Emperors would likely have been dispatched to guard the Abyssal Void and other spacetime fissures connecting the cosmic sea and the Abyss.

...

Beyond the River of Universes, the cosmic sea stretched endlessly.

In an expanse of void not too far from the River of Universes was a place where endless Xiantian spiritual qi converged, and numerous spacetime passages were connected.

A vast and magnificent world had been established here.

This was the Ji Guang Saint Realm, the residence of True Saint Ji Guang in the cosmic sea.

At the heart of the Saint Realm, clouds and mist swirled, exuding a holy air. A multitude of Perennial Eternals of various forms meditated silently. These Perennial Eternals were all under the protection of True Saint Ji Guang.

Deep within the clouds and mist lay a small world, entirely shrouded in black flames. These black flames permeated the entire world, emanating an eternal aura. Here, even the fluctuations of the Great Daos were subtly suppressed.

Amidst the endless black flames sat a bare-chested, muscular man in lotus position. He was a humanoid lifeform with four arms, bald, with a faint flame mark on his brow. A domineering and fierce aura radiated from him. This aura was powerful enough to make most Perennial Eternals tremble with fear.

"Yan He," a gentle voice suddenly echoed throughout the world.

Hmm?

The man immediately opened his eyes and mouth. An immense suction force emerged from his great maw. Like a gluttonous beast, he swiftly devoured all the black flames permeating the world.

The entire world was instantly emptied of flames. Then, the man donned black armor.

"True Saint," the black-armored man's voice boomed as he stepped to the edge of the world and bowed respectfully.

At the edge of the world, three figures stood in the void, led by the lofty and eternal True Saint Ji Guang. His aura now was completely different compared to his incarnation in the universe.

The two eternal lifeforms accompanying him also exuded extraordinary auras. Where they stood, the Great Daos were subtly isolated and suppressed.

Without a doubt, these two were also eternal lifeforms who had pioneered their own Daos.

"Yan He, a Flower of Sin has appeared," True Saint Ji Guang said calmly. "It's in Sector 13 of the Abyss. I hope you, Saint Da Yang, and Saint Hong Yun will join forces and return to the Abyss to seize that Flower of Sin."

"Flower of Sin?" The black-armored man's pupils constricted slightly.

The two True Saints accompanying True Saint Ji Guang were also slightly startled, as they hadn't been aware of this matter before arriving.

Quickly, True Saint Ji Guang recounted the whole story, and the three Saints listened quietly.

"Of all the Saints under my command, only you three were born in the Abyss and achieved eternity in the last nine samsara cycles of heaven and earth," True Saint Ji Guang said. "You are the most suitable candidates, especially you, Yan He. Your strength has reached the limit of the Saint stage. If your true self returns to the Abyss, you could exert the power of a fifth-stage Devil Emperor."

The three Saints exchanged glances.

When eternal lifeforms returned to the River of Universes, they faced many restrictions. The three of them were indeed the most suitable candidates.

"True Saint, is that Devil Emperor Xia truly a fourth-stage Overlord?" Saint Yan He asked in a low voice.

"Of course," True Saint Ji Guang smiled. "Even if he's still concealing some of his strength, he should reach the peak of the fourth-stage Overlord level at most. He absolutely cannot be a fifth-stage Overlord."

The Saints nodded slightly.

It was incredibly difficult for a Devil Emperor to reach the fifth-stage Overlord level. At least, throughout the entire Abyss, there had been several samsara cycles of heaven and earth since such a monstrous prodigy had emerged.