Chapter 1098: The Number One Devil Emperor (1)

Oh?

Wu Yuan, who was in the midst of meditation, opened his eyes. Yun Yi was already beside him, her face brimming with excitement as she alternated between looking at Wu Yuan and pointing at the nearby Flower of Sin.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but smile. She truly was an adorable little girl.

He never thought that the array spirit gifted to him by Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu would have such a lively personality.

Then, Wu Yuan's gaze fell upon the Flower of Sin.

Rustle~

At this moment, the plant had grown to a height of nine meters - this was an exact height. Even with Wu Yuan perceiving it down to the most fundamental level of spatial particles, it measured precisely this height, not a picometer off.

At some point in time, the plant had taken on a pitch-black hue. Its leaves swayed gently, emanating an endless dim radiance imbued with mysterious undulations capable of captivating the souls of living beings.

At first glance, this plant appears dark, carrying boundless evil and sin, yet it doesn't instill the slightest fear.

Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

I suspect even ordinary Sovereigns would be entranced by this sinful radiance if their willpower isn't strong enough.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

A fully-formed Flower of Sin was not something an ordinary Sovereign could pluck.

The flower.

Wu Yuan looked toward the white blossom atop the tree. It had nine petals, and was the epitome of purity, emitting a layer of hazy light that harmonized with the tree's evil radiance. The two radiances complemented each other.

"It's about to bloom," Wu Yuan murmured softly, yet he didn't take action, for this was still only the prelude to the main event.

Sure enough, just a few months later, the plant released waves of powerful aura, which began to converge and pour into the flower.

Hum~

The flower trembled faintly, starting to grow even larger, with countless profound and mysterious cryptic patterns appearing on its surface.

The plant began to wither while the flower's aura grew ever stronger.

"The blood of countless living beings, endless sin, nourishing the final pure and holy flower," Wu Yuan muttered to himself.

The Flower of Sin never displayed sin itself. All sin was borne by the rest of the plant.

Finally, the last strand of essence power within the plant surged into the flower's interior, causing the aura of the flower to expand. The flower also began to grow rapidly, swiftly growing from the size of a palm to a diameter of one meter, two meters, three meters...

Layers of hazy white light were emitted in all directions. Dao resonance formed naturally, appearing eternal.

Wu Yuan’s vision was momentarily obscured. If an ordinary Sovereign were here, they would likely be unable to raise their head, forced to bow before this aura.

However, this sort of pressure was still manageable for Wu Yuan.

Abyssal essence is the source from which the Flower of Sin blossoms

. A hint of fascination flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes.

Is this the power of the Abyss's essence?

There were many methods to nurture the Flower of Sin. The method used often determined the ultimate size of the Flower of Sin that blossomed.

Of course, as long as the Flower of Sin finally blossomed, the differences were not too large.

Wu Yuan's flower was initially cultivated by Devil Emperor Xue Gu, who had used a relatively inferior method. This was unavoidable; after all, he was only an ordinary Devil Emperor, and it was already impressive that he knew how to cultivate it at all.

Using the Array of Eternal Sin and rooting the plant in the Sector River was actually one of the best methods. However, since the initial foundation had already been established and it had been nurtured to the final stage, this change in method could only lead to a small degree of improvement overall.

“Hmm? That's not right." A trace of surprise flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes. "Yun Yi, according to what you said, my Flower of Sin should have at most seven rings of essence light, right?"

Hum~ Hum~ Hum~

Rings of white light encircled it, powerful essence undulations spreading in all directions. There were a full nine rings.

"Nine essence light rings...this is the highest grade Flower of Sin?" Yun Yi was equally astonished. "This shouldn't be! My calculations couldn't have been wrong. That Devil Emperor Xue Gu’s way of cultivating the plant was a total mess, and the foundation was already set. By all rights, seven rings of essence light should have been the limit... Did you perhaps use some special secret art, Master?"

"Special secret art?" Wu Yuan was stumped. How could he know any secret arts for cultivating the Flower of Sin?

Could it be due to the Ancestral Pagoda's projection? It was a mystery.

Although he was an Ancestral Pagoda Archon, Wu Yuan still didn't know much about the Ancestral Pagoda even now.

"Nine essence light rings." Yun Yi was quite excited. "Whatever the reason, this is your opportunity, Master. It will allow you to reap even greater benefits."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly, waiting patiently.

Time passed.

The Flower of Sin continued to grow larger, the aura it emanated also growing increasingly majestic. Waves of essence profundities were revealed, and countless mysterious Dao patterns coalesced in the void, granting Wu Yuan many insights.

The Flower of Sin. It was the manifestation of the Abyss's essence, representing the profundities of the Abyss's essence.

Through it, Abyssal Devil Emperors and universal Overlords could sense the operational profundities of the entire Abyss - it was an unparalleled method of comprehension.

If given to True Saint Eternals, they could use its core profundities to construct a miniature Abyss, and then, combined with many precious materials, forge it into a Xiantian Instrument... Its value was immeasurable.

For eternal lifeforms, its value was not as great as a Xiantian Instrument, but for sempiternal lifeforms, its effects could not be replaced by any Xiantian Instrument.

"Fortunately, you set up the arrays in advance." Wu Yuan smiled. "If we had allowed the Flower of Sin to bloom without constraint, the disturbance would have affected at least half of the Sector River."

"Of course." Yun Yi said proudly. "The array I set up will ensure no one can detect anything."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

If Saint Hong Yun, True Saint Ji Guang, and the others knew the Flower of Sin had bloomed, they would likely exhaust everything to attack, giving Wu Yuan no time at all. How could he be as relaxed as he was now?

Finally, the nine rings of essence light dissipated, and the powerful aura emitted by the Flower of Sin also began to recede.

The plant had completely withered, while the flower had grown to a diameter of nine meters.

It was incomparably pure, without a single flaw. Beautiful enough to take one's breath away, carrying supreme profundities that left even Wu Yuan fascinated and awestruck.

"Master, quick!" Yun Yi urged repeatedly from the side. "While the connection between the Flower of Sin and the Abyss's essence hasn't been severed, enter the flower.

"This is when the Flower of Sin's effects are at their most potent," Yun Yi continued.

"Mm, I understand," Wu Yuan nodded.

Once the Flower of Sin bloomed, it would completely wither within 90,000 years at most. Therefore, it had to be used within 90,000 years. And the earlier it was used, the better its effects would be.

In Wu Yuan's original plan, if the Eternals under True Saint Ji Guang still hadn’t arrived by the time the Flower of Sin bloomed, he would take the Flower of Sin away and use it once he reached a safe place.

But now? Saint Hong Yun was standing guard nearby, just waiting for him to leave the array's range, and there might be other powerhouses lurking in secret.

With the array’s power, I have a bit more confidence.

Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

Once I leave? I fear the odds would be against me.

Most importantly, Wu Yuan wasn't confident he could shake off Saint Hong Yun. If he couldn't shake her off and was followed constantly, while other Dao Pioneer Eternals caught up? That would truly be dangerous.

I can only gamble. Use the Flower of Sin first, and see if it can help me break through.

Wu Yuan silently pondered.

If I still can't break through, I'll think of a way to escape then.

In any case, Wu Yuan absolutely refused to hand over the Flower of Sin.

Having thought it all through, Wu Yuan took a step forward, entering the Flower of Sin.

Immediately, he felt a force of resistance and rejection. This wasn't a rejection of power, but a kind of rejection of the spirit and soul resembling bloodline suppression.

"Get out!” "Get out!" "Get out!" Waves of an ethereal and majestic will battered Wu Yuan's spirit, causing his formidable soul and will to waver slightly.

Ancestral Pagoda, suppress!

Wu Yuan gave a mental command, and the Ancestral Pagoda flooded his internal world with light. This light shone through his skin, spreading in all directions.

Boom~

Like the Primordium holding sway, suppressing all Daos–when the Ancestral Pagoda's radiance bloomed, all obstacles scattered, all resistance submitting.

The power of the Ancestral Pagoda is far superior to some of the secret arts for cultivating the mind and soul imparted by Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.

Wu Yuan smiled slightly. It wasn't that the secret arts weren't good, but the Ancestral Pagoda was stronger.

Perception secret art.

Wu Yuan calmed his heart and mind, and the relevant teachings and profundities appeared in his mind.

He had long since mastered this method, which was granted to him by Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu specifically for refining the Flower of Sin. Clearly, Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu had researched the Flower of Sin deeply and had prepared in advance.

Time passed.

After just a moment, a layer of hazy light appeared on the surface of Wu Yuan's body, faintly emitting a sense of evil and madness. Even his eyes turned blood-red, as if about to fall into deathly stillness and destruction.

Assimilate! To comprehend the Flower of Sin, one must be of the same source.

Wu Yuan's spirit was subtly affected by the secret art.

Not just surface-level aura assimilation, but even the body and spirit must completely align with the operation of the Abyss's essence.

In reality, although Wu Yuan was not an Abyssal being, his body refiner self had walked the Abyss for tens of thousands of years, killing countless beings. Unknowingly, he had also been influenced by the Abyss.

Misfortune lurks beneath fortune, fortune lurks beneath misfortune. This influence made it easier for Wu Yuan to employ the secret art and perceive the Flower of Sin now.

Finally, the moment Wu Yuan's body, soul, and spirit completed their transformation, a mysterious power from the Flower of Sin completely enveloped Wu Yuan, then began to pour into his body.

Hum~

Through this power, Wu Yuan's consciousness instantly extended, as if entering another realm...

The vast and boundless Sector River, and the countless living beings born from the Sector River's operation.

Countless vast and boundless sector worlds.

Infinite Abyssal worlds were born and destroyed, destroyed and born again...

Countless Abyssal lifeforms slaughtered, battled, and evolved within them.

Madness, bloodshed, frenzy, destruction... Countless emotions poured into Wu Yuan's perception and will, shaking his spirit.

At this moment, through the Flower of Sin, Wu Yuan seemed to traverse a hidden passage, allowing him to glimpse and even sense the intricate workings of the Abyss's very essence.

The Abyss! Is this the entirety of the Abyss?

Wu Yuan's mind was shaken with awe. This was a wondrous sight he had never before perceived. It was an opportunity that no previous fortuitous encounter could replace.

In this moment, Wu Yuan couldn't help but recall how he had once obtained the Dao insights of over a thousand Eternals, which had transformed his perspective entirely. With such profound foundations, he had been able to make rapid breakthroughs in just over a hundred thousand years.

Receiving the insights of those eternal powerhouses was like walking through their entire lives, yielding immense benefits.

And now, Wu Yuan felt as if he had merged with the very essence of the Abyss.

Though Dao Pioneer Eternals were formidable, they paled in comparison to the entirety of the Abyss's essence. This experience was undoubtedly another great fortune for Wu Yuan.

No wonder the Flower of Sin is hailed as a treasure that grants one hope for transcendence.

Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

Eternal powerhouses, cut off from the sempiternal river, can no longer receive the favor of the River of Universes.

Only sempiternal lifeforms could perceive the profound workings of the Abyss's essence through the Flower of Sin.

Wu Yuan immersed himself wholly in cultivation.

The Abyss, destruction!

Life, born from utmost madness...

Great destruction!

With Wu Yuan's current strength, he could only glimpse a fraction of the Abyss's profound workings. There was still so much he didn't understand. Yet even these shallow insights yielded astonishing revelations, while also allowing him to glimpse many deeper profundities.

The Abyss, the universe! Two sides of the same coin. The Abyss represents destruction. The Devil race, born without parents, nurtured by heaven and earth, grow through slaughter, and ultimately achieve eternity amidst endless destruction.

The universe represents creation, mostly nurturing life, with overall rules that are more peaceful...

These were two sets of rules, almost like two different philosophies.

Destruction!

Wu Yuan carefully contemplated. Not only was his body refiner self immersed, but as countless insights flooded his mind, his qi refiner self in the distant Ling Jiang Universe was also influenced.

The profundities of the Abyss's essence were not Greater Laws, nor were they simply Great Dao profundities, but those that originated from the Primordium, the supreme Primordium! Both his body refiner self and qi refiner self could sense and even comprehend the Primordial profundities.

Time flowed on.

Wu Yuan's two true selves continuously deduced and pondered. Though there was no immediate improvement, he was in fact solidifying his foundation.

The power contained within the Flower of Sin was rapidly depleting. The day its power was completely exhausted would be when Wu Yuan's body refiner self fully awakened.