Chapter 1117: Within Ancient Dream Mountain (1)

To the standards of a Saint?

Wu Yuan mused silently.

From what he knew, the Saint Realm had a strict hierarchy. Even the building sizes of temple residences were strictly regulated. The hall complexes of Saints spanned a million light-years, while those of Perennials covered a hundred thousand light-years. The halls of Overlords stretched ten thousand light-years.

As for the Sovereigns of the Saint Realm? They had no right to establish halls within the Saint Realm. They had no fixed abodes, either following Saints or certain Perennials or Overlords. Only upon reaching the Overlord level could one gain full recognition from the Saint Realm.

Of course, this did not include universe-born lifeforms. At the same level of strength, the status of universe powerhouses naturally far exceeded that of naturally-born eternal lifeforms.

"Of course, you are ultimately not a true Saint, so you cannot establish your hall in the void of the Saint Realm," Saint Zuo Zai said with a smile.

"I understand," Wu Yuan nodded.

Though his status in the Saint Realm was comparable to a Saint, he was still not truly a Saint. In many aspects, even True Saint Taiyuan had to consider the thoughts of the Saints under his command.

"By the way, quite a few Sovereigns in the Saint Realm have expressed the desire to become your followers over these past few days. Are you willing to accept them?" Saint Zuo Zai inquired.

"Become my followers?" Wu Yuan was taken aback.

"The True Saint is merciful. All Sovereigns who join the Saint Realm are granted certain privileges, able to receive guidance on basic cultivation methods and foundational resources. Occasionally, the True Saint even gives lectures," Saint Zuo Zai smiled.

"However, for cultivation in the cosmic sea, relying solely on the small gifts from the Saint Realm is not enough. It's difficult for these Sovereigns to cultivate to the Overlord level, let alone become Perennials.

"Therefore, following a powerful expert becomes the pursuit of these Sovereigns. Becoming a Saint’s follower is extremely difficult," Saint Zuo Zai explained.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

From what he knew, the total number of Sovereigns in the entire Saint Realm should exceed a hundred thousand, with the majority being young naturally-born eternal lifeforms. However, even someone like Saint Chong Hun only had several dozen Sovereign followers, all with considerable potential and talent. Those lacking potential failed to catch the eyes of the Saints.

"Your reputation has already spread throughout the entire Saint Realm. Many believe you will soon become a Saint," Saint Zuo Zai smiled. "Thus, many Sovereigns eagerly wish to become your followers."

"No need," Wu Yuan shook his head. "For now, I don't wish to divert my attention, nor do I require any followers."

In the universe, Sovereign-level followers had many uses, but in the vast cosmic sea? The utility of Sovereign powerhouses was too limited. The drawbacks outweighed the benefits.

Moreover, even if I were to discover some individuals with potential, no matter how great their potential, could they match my own?

Wu Yuan shook his head inwardly.

What I need to do now is forge ahead and pioneer my self-created Dao. In the future, when I achieve eternity and establish a Saint Realm or even an Eternal Realm, I can consider these matters.

Wu Yuan had already thought it through.

"Overlord Ming Jian, I've explained everything in detail along the way. I'll take my leave now," Saint Zuo Zai smiled. "In the future, if you have any matters, you can contact me through the Blood Dream Voidrealm."

"Safe travels, Saint," Wu Yuan bid farewell to Saint Zuo Zai.

He turned and returned to the main hall.

True Saint Taiyuan’s arrangements are indeed extravagant.

Wu Yuan thought, observing the various areas of the hall complex through the arrays – pill refining areas, equipment forging chambers, meditation chambers, mind-calming arrays, servant quarters, and more. All amenities he could think of were provided and of the highest quality.

The value of my hall alone is probably comparable to a mid-grade Xiantian artifact.

Wu Yuan marveled inwardly.

A True Saint was indeed a True Saint, making such grand gestures.

For the coming years, until the opening of the Xuanhuang Cosmiris, my qi refiner self will cultivate in seclusion here in the Saint Realm.

Wu Yuan had already planned this out.

The universe and the cosmic sea were completely different spacetime environments. Cultivating here would benefit Wu Yuan's qi refiner self in unexpected ways. Thus, many late-stage Sovereign powerhouses and Overlords would intentionally cultivate in the cosmic sea for a period of time.

The reason why the true selves of powerhouses like Overlord Xin Ya and Overlord Jiang Meng resided long-term in the universe was that they had already ventured into the cosmic sea and cultivated there before.

My qi refiner self will cultivate in the Saint Realm. It's time for my mana body and ether body to head to Ancient Dream Mountain.

Wu Yuan's thoughts stirred.

Whoosh!

A white-robed figure appeared at his side, flying directly into the dark, endless spacetime vortex at the center of the mainland.

That spacetime vortex, with an estimated diameter of over a trillion li, sent out shocking spacetime fluctuations in all directions.

How large was the entire mainland? Only one light-year. Therefore, one could see that spacetime vortex from anywhere on the mainland.

A spacetime passage.

Wu Yuan murmured to himself.

According to the information I received, the True Saint's residence is right above the spacetime vortex.

Without the True Saint's decree, no one dared approach the area above the spacetime vortex.

...

Distant mountains look deceptively close. Even with Wu Yuan's flight speed, it would take his mana body a long time to fly from the hall to the spacetime vortex.

By this time, news of his residence had spread throughout the Saint Realm.

"A sempiternal lifeform, residing in a hall spanning a million light-years, with status equal to a Saint."

"The True Saint truly favors him."

"Favor? How about you try to cultivate from mortal to Overlord in just hundreds of thousands of years?"

The many powerhouses in the Saint Realm discussed among themselves, with most eternal powerhouses feeling envy and admiration. Of course, there were those who were jealous, but no one dared to express it openly.

...

Inside a majestic temple on the mainland of the Saint Realm.

"Wu Huang, I've always doted on you. But this time, you must make a personal apology," a mighty voice echoed throughout the million-mile temple.

"Yes, Elder Brother." Overlord Wu Huang obediently replied, "I will prepare the same gift as the one previously sent to Perennial Li Hai."

He was usually arrogant, but showed utmost respect towards his elder brother.

"Not enough," the mighty voice sounded again. "How about this – take my subordinate Meizi Fairy with you and offer her to Overlord Ming Jian as well."

"Meizi Fairy?" Overlord Wu Huang was slightly shocked. "Elder Brother, wasn't that meant to be a gift for Saint Meng Hao?"

Saint Meng Hao was the Saint his elder brother followed.

"No rush. I already have a better gift. This Meizi Fairy isn't of much use to eternal powerhouses, but is a rare pleasure for Overlords," the mighty voice said. "Remember, you are certain to break through to Perennial. Don’t get hung up over momentary gains and losses.

"That Overlord Ming Jian is only an Overlord now, but what about after three samsara cycles of heaven and earth? After ten cycles? He might become a True Saint," the mighty voice resounded through the temple. "If he becomes a True Saint in the future, winning even a bit of his favor today will be immensely beneficial."

"Yes, Elder Brother sees far," Overlord Wu Huang respectfully replied. "I'll go take care of it right away."

...

On the mainland of the Saint Realm,

So this is the Saint Realm passage?

Wu Yuan stood beneath the vast, endless spacetime vortex. Looking up, one could occasionally see figures traveling through the passage.

With his mastery of Spacetime, he could easily perceive numerous branching spacetime passages leading to different regions of the cosmic sea deep within this enormous spacetime vortex.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, spacetime distorted and a purple-robed figure appeared out of thin air nearby, smiling as he looked at Wu Yuan: "Might you be Overlord Ming Jian?"

"Saint Shen Shui," Wu Yuan bowed slightly in greeting. He recognized the other party at a glance.

From the information he had obtained, the Taiyuan Saint Realm had over a hundred Saints in its ranks, with varying levels of strength. Several were just one step away from becoming True Saints.

Saint Shen Shui was one of them. He was mainly responsible for guarding the spacetime vortex and was highly trusted by the True Saint. It was said that Saint Shen Shui had even guided True Saint Taiyuan when he was still at the Perennial stage.

Later, when True Saint Taiyuan established the Saint Realm, he also brought Saint Shen Shui over.

In terms of status, Saint Shen Shui probably ranked first among the many Saints in the Saint Realm.

"Mana body?" Saint Shen Shui smiled.

Wu Yuan nodded.

"I heard the True Saint mention you before. Looking at you now, you are indeed extraordinary. Truly young as well. Us naturally-born eternal lifeforms cannot compare," Saint Shen Shui's appearance was that of a gentle middle-aged man.

His eyes were full of wisdom, seemingly able to see through all secrets as they swept over Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but smile. Saint Shen Shui's cultivation years likely spanned dozens of samsara cycles of heaven and earth. He was extremely ancient.

Although eternal powerhouses had endless lifespans, many eternal powerhouses would still perish with the changing times and battles in the cosmic sea. Historically, quite a few True Saints had fallen.

"The spacetime passages connect to 6,736 exploration sites in the cosmic sea besides the universe," Saint Shen Shui pointed at the massive spacetime vortex. "Over 90% of these sites are in the Heartland region. Only a small number lead to the Outer Region."

Connected to over six thousand cosmic sea exploration sites? Wu Yuan marveled inwardly. He knew about the wonders of the Saint Realms and Eternal Realms. But he hadn't imagined that even the relatively new Taiyuan Saint Realm led directly to so many cosmic sea exploration sites.

Whoosh!

Saint Shen Shui flipped his palm and took out a divine slip, handing it to Wu Yuan. "This contains detailed information on each passage. You can choose which exploration site you wish to visit.

"Remember, every million years, you have the right to use the Saint Realm passage once for free. The number of uses cannot be accumulated," Saint Shen Shui smiled.

"Each additional use costs one Blood Dream point for sites in the Heartland. For sites in the Outer Region, each transmission costs ten Blood Dream points. After all, such spacetime transmissions consume a great deal of the Saint Realm's essence."

"I understand," Wu Yuan nodded.

The so-called Blood Dream points were the currency used by eternal powerhouses in the Blood Dream Alliance, backed by the Dao Zenithels standing at the pinnacle of the cosmic sea.

Blood Dream points were similar to the Xuanhuang merits of the Eldritch Court. One Blood Dream point was equivalent to one Xuanhuang merit.

Each transmission cost at least one point, which was quite expensive. Ordinary Sovereigns couldn’t afford it, and even Overlords would feel the pinch.

However, the Saint Realm passage was indeed incredibly convenient, which was the main reason Wu Yuan wanted to come to the Saint Realm.

Wu Yuan had already entered the Blood Dream Voidrealm when he first arrived in the Saint Realm, and found that a hundred Blood Dream points were already credited in his name by True Saint Taiyuan for free.

The value of these points was worth a low-grade Xiantian artifact. More? He would have to exchange treasures for them, which was the custom of all major powers in the cosmic sea. Very little was given for free, and much had to be fought for.

After absorbing most of the intelligence from the divine slip and briefly orienting himself, Wu Yuan turned to Saint Shen Shui and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Saint. I'll take my leave now.”

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan flew directly into the depths of the spacetime vortex. Here, spacetime was calmer, forming a series of smaller spacetime vortices.

This is the one.

Wu Yuan plunged into one of the spacetime vortices.

An instant later, the spacetime vortex flashed with light, and Wu Yuan vanished without a trace.

Ancient Dream Mountain?

Saint Shen Shui murmured to himself.

An interesting little fellow. I can only vaguely sense his age, but everything else is completely opaque to me.

Whoosh!

Saint Shen Shui disappeared into the void. He wouldn't have bothered to appear if ordinary Overlords or Perennials had come to the spacetime vortex.