Chapter 1157: Devil Emperor Xia Is Overlord Wu Yuan! (2)

Time flowed on, and three days passed.

In the void of the River of Universes, streams of Xiantian spiritual qi intertwined, flowing through the dim and eerie emptiness.

A figure in black robes stood there, accompanied by several Saints radiating eternal auras.

Yet these five Saints gazed at the black-robed figure with utmost respect, as if awaiting his command.

"We still haven't encountered the Immortal Court's forces?" Wu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly. "According to the Eldritch Progenitor's guidance, barring any unexpected events, we should have met them within two days."

Traveling through the void of the River of Universes was a straightforward affair, following the shortest path and charging ahead based on one's perception. There was little danger and no need for detours. So, as long as the Immortal Court's forces were coming to kill them, their route should have been fixed. Even if they deviated, it shouldn't have been by much.

Yet for three full days, Wu Yuan, Saint Lei Dao, and the others had rushed forward at full speed, their perceptions stretched to their limits, without detecting a single Saint or Overlord. There wasn't a trace of the Immortal Court Saints to be found.

"Could they have taken another route, fearing we might flee?" Saint Ju Peng ventured.

"It's possible."

"Perhaps they dare not face us in battle and have already retreated," Saint Lei Dao, Saint Hong Jun, and the others chimed in, each offering their opinions and theories.

With a wave of his hand, Wu Yuan silenced them. The Saints immediately fell quiet, speaking no further.

"Regardless, there's no point in lingering here if we can't find any trace of the Immortal Court Saints," Wu Yuan shook his head. "I intend to proceed directly to the Xuanhuang Cosmiris. Do you wish to accompany me or return?"

If they had encountered the Immortal Court Saints, Wu Yuan wouldn't have minded slaying a few more. But without finding them, there was no need to waste more time.

The Saints exchanged glances.

"Let's escort you into the Xuanhuang Cosmiris, Overlord Wu Yuan."

"Yes, lest we fall into an ambush along the way."

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"The structure of the Xuanhuang Cosmiris is truly marvelous. Each time I observe it, I gain new insights."

"Since we've returned to the River of Universes, we might as well visit once. It would be a waste of time otherwise." Saint Lei Dao, Saint Hong Jun, and the others spoke up in turn.

"Very well. Let’s leave now." Without further delay, Wu Yuan adjusted their course slightly and swiftly headed toward the Xuanhuang Cosmiris.

According to intelligence from the Eldritch Court, in the days since the Xuanhuang Cosmiris had opened, teams from the various cosmic sea factions had already arrived and sent numerous Overlords inside.

Of course, past experience suggested that the opening of the Xuanhuang Cosmiris would last for tens of thousands of years. Arriving a year or two late wouldn't matter much.

...

When Wu Yuan abandoned the search and headed directly for the Xuanhuang Cosmiris with Saint Lei Dao and the others...

In the Xiao Yao Saint Realm, over ten True Saints had gathered in a mysterious world.

At this moment, under the watchful eyes of more than ten True Saints, Saint Zhu Guang was giving his report with neither humility nor arrogance.

"What? You searched as directed, but couldn't find Wu Yuan's team?" True Saint Xiao Yao's face darkened as he listened to Saint Zhu Guang's report.

"They weren't found?"

"Could Wu Yuan have deliberately taken a longer route to avoid Saint Zhu Guang and his group?" True Saint Jiu Fang, who was Saint Zhu Guang’s superior, shook his head. "If so, it's only natural that Saint Zhu Guang couldn't find them."

"That's certainly possible." Several True Saints in the realm spoke up in turn, seemingly accepting Saint Zhu Guang's words.

Only True Saint Xiao Yao's expression grew frosty. No one was a fool; how could he not hear the implications in True Saint Jiu Fang’s words – there was no need to argue with Saint Zhu Guang.

"Saint Zhu Guang." True Saint Xiao Yao suddenly spoke coldly, "Since you couldn't find Wu Yuan's trail in the void of the River of Universes, then make haste to the Xuanhuang Cosmiris and intercept him at the entrance."

Saint Zhu Guang's brow furrowed slightly. He felt he had made himself clear enough, just short of outright stating his unwillingness to engage in battle. And now he was being told to go to the Xuanhuang Cosmiris?

"True Saint," Saint Zhu Guang suddenly spoke respectfully, "I've just had an epiphany and must urgently enter closed-door cultivation. I cannot miss this opportunity. As soon as I emerge, I will immediately head to the Xuanhuang Cosmiris."

With a sharp crack, Saint Zhu Guang severed the connection, leaving True Saint Xiao Yao stunned.

He never imagined that Saint Zhu Guang would use such a flimsy excuse and then abruptly cut off communication.

"Damn it. That Zhu Guang..." A cold glint flashed in True Saint Xiao Yao's eyes, his anger palpable.

"Haha. Xiao Yao, don't take it to heart," True Saint Jiu Fang's projection approached with a placating smile. "You know as well as I do, he's a disciple of Immortal Eminence Jiu Yin. Sometimes he doesn't even listen to my orders.

"Perhaps he truly had some insight and needs to cultivate?" True Saint Jiu Fang said with a smile, as if he genuinely believed Saint Zhu Guang's words.

"Hmph!" True Saint Xiao Yao snorted coldly but said nothing more.

How could he not understand the reason behind True Saint Jiu Fang and the others' attitudes? Saint Zhu Guang and his group were unwilling to engage in battle. Forcing them would be useless, and given Saint Zhu Guang's significant background, these True Saints were reluctant to truly fall out with him.

Moreover, why hadn't Immortal Eminence Jiu You issued a direct order? Surely, the fact that Saint Zhu Guang was Immortal Eminence Jiu Yin's disciple had been taken into consideration.

Ultimately, Wu Yuan had displayed such overwhelming strength that even Saint Zhu Guang harbored a hint of fear, worried about perishing in the River of Universes.

"Fellow Daoists, do you truly wish to abandon this mission completely and willingly accept punishment?" True Saint Xiao Yao asked coldly.

The ten-odd True Saints remained silent.

True Saint Xiao Yao was the leader of the Immortal Court's Ling Jiang Saintdom and the commander of this operation. If it failed, the punishment he received would be the most severe.

A long silence passed.

"Fine." True Saint Xiao Yao spoke as if resigned to his fate, shaking his head. "Fellow Daoists, if that's how it is, you may all disperse."

"Xiao Yao, farewell."

"I have matters to attend to in the Saint Realm. I'll take my leave as well." One by one, the True Saint incarnations dissipated. Even True Saint Jiu Fang didn't linger.

At last, only True Saint Xiao Yao remained.

His heart burned with endless fury as he muttered to himself, "Damn it! Damn that Zhu Guang, daring to shrink from battle."

"And Wu Yuan!! Revel in your arrogance while you can. After your Dao Enlightenment, there will naturally be opportunities to kill you." True Saint Xiao Yao gritted his teeth.

...

The River of Universes was not a simple plane, but an incredibly complex multi-dimensional spacetime.

The Xuanhuang Cosmiris lay in the deepest reaches of the River of Universes, accessible from any of the thirty-six universes within the River.

Members of the Abyssal race could traverse through the Abyssal Void to reach the Xuanhuang Cosmiris when it opened.

Those various spacetimes and passages would ultimately converge in the spacetime belonging to the Xuanhuang Cosmiris.

Here, spacetime was in chaos. At the edge of the void, there loomed a colossal spacetime vortex, its diameter spanning roughly one light year.

Such a massive celestial body was exceedingly rare within the River of Universes. Even the Ling Jiang Universe, when observed from the River of Universes, measured only about one light-year across.

On the surface of this gargantuan vortex flowed streams of qi that radiated boundless, dazzling light, thoroughly warping the surrounding spacetime. These qi streams blanketed the vortex's surface, potent enough to instantly crush and annihilate any Sovereign.

These streams were none other than the essence of Xuanhuang! An energy form far superior to Xiantian spiritual qi.

Vast quantities of Xuanhuang qi converged, forming the entrance to the Xuanhuang Cosmiris. Beyond this entrance, a hundred or even a thousand times more Xiantian spiritual qi swirled frantically along the vortex, rendering the entire gateway even more immense and menacing. It seemed poised to devour everything in its path.

Boom!

Not far from the Xuanhuang Cosmiris entrance, a figure emanating a powerful aura repeatedly invoked the radiance of his self-created Dao, unleashing terrifying bursts of light that bombarded the impossibly dense Xuanhuang qi, tearing a minuscule fissure along the vortex's edge.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

One after another, Overlords of lesser strength seized the opportunity, swiftly darting through the fissure and into the Xuanhuang Cosmiris.

"The Abyss Alliance has actually sent Saint Da Yang this time?"

"Indeed. When True Saint Ji Guang hunted Devil Emperor Xia last time, he entered the River of Universes dimension. I suspect he never left the Abyss, specifically waiting for this opening of the Xuanhuang Cosmiris."

"However, there has been no trace of Devil Emperor Xia. Is he not coming?" Some distance from the vortex, over a dozen figures stood tall in the void.

Their auras made them stand out from their surroundings—each exuding a mighty presence, with a hint of eternal Dao resonance that could make Overlords bow in reverence.

They were all Saints!

If Wu Yuan were present, he would instantly recognize Saint Dong Lin among the group.

Clearly, these dozen or so Saints hailed from various factions across the cosmic sea, tasked with escorting Overlords into the Xuanhuang Cosmiris.

Rather than engaging in combat, they conversed and exchanged pleasantries. Among eternal powerhouses, without absolute certainty or deep-seated grudges, they typically refrained from battling to the death. Of course, this excluded the Immortal Court and the Eldritch Court.

"Those who should be here have mostly arrived," rumbled a six-legged, jet-black beast Saint. "Only the powerhouses from the Eldritch Court and Immortal Court are missing."

"The Immortal Court's group was wiped out by Overlord Wu Yuan. They likely won't make it. Even Saint Teng Chong and the others were slain. The carnage must have been brutal."

"Even Overlord Yue Shan perished."

"Overlord Wu Yuan... his killing spree was truly merciless."

"The Immortal Court was equally ruthless when they sought to kill him." The Saints sighed in unison, still shaken by the news of that battle.

"Dong Lin, if I'm not mistaken, that Overlord Ming Jian belongs to your Blood Dream Alliance. How did he get involved?" One Saint suddenly inquired. "You all serve under True Saint Taiyuan right?"

"I'm not too familiar with Overlord Ming Jian," Saint Dong Lin shook his head. "That's a matter for the True Saints to handle."

In truth, he too was puzzled. Even if Ming Jian and Wu Yuan were close friends, Overlord Ming Jian shouldn't have intervened. After all, this was a clash between the two greatest factions.

Boom!

Suddenly, a series of powerful auras suddenly emanated from the distant void, prompting the dozen or so Saints to turn and look.

They saw a figure in black robes, another in white robes, and several Saints exuding formidable auras, traversing the distorted spacetime and swiftly approaching the Xuanhuang Cosmiris entrance.

"It's Saint Lei Dao. He's here."

"And Saint Ju Peng. This must be the Eldritch Court's group." Some Saints quickly identified them.

The Saints present were all universe-born lifeforms, each quite renowned. Having roamed the cosmic sea for eons, it was natural for them to recognize one another.

"That figure in black robes must be Overlord Wu Yuan. What a domineering aura."

"And the other must be Overlord Ming Jian." The assembled Saints confirmed, committing their soul auras to memory. From this day forward, they would be able to recognize them.

"Overlord Ming Jian," Saint Dong Lin called out telepathically in greeting.

"Mm." Overlord Ming Jian nodded, smiling. "Have all the Alliance's Overlords been sent in?"

"They've all entered the Xuanhuang Cosmiris," Saint Dong Lin replied with a smile. "Most other factions have sent theirs in as well. Only the Eldritch Court's contingent hasn't arrived yet. You and Overlord Wu Yuan seem to have arrived even faster than them."

Overlord Ming Jian nodded slightly.

Just then, a deep voice resonated through the vast void. "Saint Da Yang, what a small world indeed. To think I’d run into you here—what good fortune."

In an instant, the voice drew the attention of all the Saints in the void. They all turned to look, bewildered.

Even Saint Lei Dao, Saint Hong Jun, and Saint Ju Peng wore expressions of shock.

The one who spoke those words was none other than Wu Yuan!

Only Overlord Ming Jian remained calm, as if he had anticipated this. His gaze also fell upon Saint Da Yang, who was in the distant void, escorting Abyss Alliance Overlords into the Xuanhuang Cosmiris.

"Overlord Wu Yuan knows Saint Da Yang?"

"Judging by his words, there seems to be some grudge between them. I've never heard of this before." The Saints from various factions all looked puzzled, unable to comprehend the situation.

Above the massive vortex, Saint Da Yang had already turned around, having sensed that familiar presence.

Different attire, different appearance, and different bearing. But his soul aura was identical!

For him, this was an aura he never wished to face again in this lifetime—Devil Emperor Xia!!

This? He's with Saint Lei Dao and the others... is he Overlord Wu Yuan?

A flash of shock crossed Saint Da Yang's eyes.

Overlord Wu Yuan is Devil Emperor Xia?

No! Devil Emperor Xia was just an identity Overlord Wu Yuan assumed in the Abyss?

Saint Da Yang instantly understood everything.

No wonder the Abyss Alliance could never find Devil Emperor Xia’s trace. No wonder Devil Emperor Xia rose to fame suddenly, then mysteriously vanished. No wonder Devil Emperor Xia would ally with Overlord Ming Jian to slay enemies. There was no Devil Emperor Xia—only Overlord Wu Yuan.

"Devil Emperor Xia? You are Overlord Wu Yuan!!" Saint Da Yang's shocked and enraged voice echoed through heaven and earth.

This outburst left all the Saints stunned, their minds buzzing, unable to process what they had just heard.

The Abyss's Devil Emperor Xia was Overlord Wu Yuan? What was going on?

"True Saint, I've discovered Devil Emperor Xia's whereabouts. His true identity is Overlord Wu Yuan of the Eldritch Court." Saint Da Yang frantically sent a message to True Saint Ji Guang, then transformed into a streak of light, desperately fleeing into the distance.

Even Saint Teng Chong was killed by him; how could a Standard Saint like himself hope to escape alive?

"Haha. Da Yang, it's too late to flee now." Wu Yuan's body refiner self boomed, instantly splitting in two. Two streaks of light shot out like lightning, giving chase.