Chapter 1202: Azure Saint Tomb (3)

"There's really a coffin?" Wu Yuan was surprised.

"Yes." Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu nodded. "The Azure Saint Tomb is the most dangerous exploration site in the Heartland region, and one of the most perilous sites in the entire cosmic sea. Even if the Heavenly Imperator and I entered, there’s no guarantee we'd emerge unscathed."

"That dangerous?" Wu Yuan held his breath.

What kind of existence was Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu? One of the two supreme powerhouses standing at the pinnacle of the entire cosmic sea.

"The Azure Saint should be like the Origin Saint, both born in the previous Primordial Epoch," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said slowly. "However, there are only traces of the Origin Saint's suspected appearances. Among them, the texts left by Goddess Nüwa mention her encountering the Origin Saint."

"Goddess Nüwa encountered the Origin Saint?" Wu Yuan was astonished.

The information left by the Creation Dao Master also mentioned the Origin Saint, saying the Origin Saint had guided him.

"But there are no traces of the Azure Saint," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said. "Only within the Azure Saint Tomb are there many remnant traces, mentioning a few deeds of the Azure Saint... The entire Azure Saint Tomb is divided into three major areas: the outer region, the core region, and the forbidden zone.

"Sempiternal lifeforms with a token can enter the outer region.

"Eternal lifeforms with a token can enter the core region."

"As for the forbidden zone, you must absolutely not enter it. Those who enter have a near 100% chance of perishing, and even Dao Zenithels are no exception," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu looked at Wu Yuan and said, "Deep within the forbidden zone floats an enormous bronze coffin, one both extremely mysterious and terrifying..."

A trace of wariness flashed through Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu's eyes, as if recalling some extremely unpleasant memory.

"Eldritch Progenitor, you've been there?" Wu Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Yes," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said frankly. "Historically, over a dozen Dao Zenithels have sent their true selves into the forbidden zone of the Azure Saint Tomb. Besides the Heavenly Imperator and myself, I don't think anyone else made it out alive."

Wu Yuan was dumbfounded.

"The main reason I was able to make it out alive back then was that I ultimately didn't touch that coffin. Compared to a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure, the feeling that coffin gave me was even more..." Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu shook her head slightly and said, "Enough. I only spoke this much today because the Azure Saint Tomb was mentioned. Regarding the forbidden zone, wait until you possess strength rivaling mine before attempting to explore it.

"Just remember this: I cannot enter it easily, and you must exercise utmost caution regarding the Azure Saint Tomb," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said solemnly.

"Understood," Wu Yuan replied respectfully.

He was also quite shocked internally. To think that even Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu had nearly perished in the Azure Saint Tomb? How many more secrets did this vast cosmic sea hold?

"Go on then. When you are ready to step into eternity, or when your true self is about to leave the River of Universes, send me a message," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said.

"Yes," Wu Yuan bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew.

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu remained alone in the divine temple.

A hint of sorrow flashed unbidden in her eyes as she murmured to herself, "Xuan Ming... so much time has already passed."

Back then, Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu hadn't ventured into the Azure Saint Tomb alone. There had been another Dao Zenithel from the Eldritch Court with her. But in the end, only Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu had emerged alive.

"If I advance one step further, perhaps I could bring you back," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu gently closed her eyes.

...

In the void outside the Eldritch Court's Ling Jiang Saintdom.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan appeared, then waved his hand. Instantly, countless figures materialized out of thin air - tens of thousands of silhouettes, each radiating an impressive aura.

All of them were Sovereigns. There were also nearly ten Overlords among them.

These Overlords and Sovereigns had all been captured by Wu Yuan not long ago when he breached the headquarters of the An Yu Temple and Yun Hai Temple.

"You've released us?"

"What are you planning to do?"

"Overlord Wu Yuan, that devil."

"Even True Saints have fallen by his hand."

The tens of thousands of Sovereigns and Overlords gathered here felt a sense of despair. Even True Saints had been killed; what hope did they have? They had struggled, of course, but they were far too weak.

Tens of thousands of Sovereigns and Overlords, even if they formed battle arrays and combined their attacks, could barely reach the Threshold Saint level of power. Facing Wu Yuan, they would only be obliterated with a wave of his hand.

"Is he going to kill us?"

"It's hard to say." The crowd of Sovereigns and Overlords trembled in fear.

"Heh, the eternal powerhouses of Nine Peaks are willing to negotiate and ransom you back," Wu Yuan looked down at the tens of thousands of Sovereigns and Overlords and said coldly.

"When you return, await orders from Nine Peaks to enter the cosmic sea. Stay in the Saint Realms or Eternal Realms and cultivate diligently.

"If I see any of you in the Ling Jiang Universe again, it will be your final resting place."

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan immediately took a step forward, vanishing without a trace. At the same moment, the invisible force restraining the tens of thousands of Sovereigns dissipated.

"We're saved?"

"Wu Yuan let us go?"

"Didn't you hear? The eternal powerhouses of Nine Peaks helped us, but what is Nine Peaks?" The tens of thousands of Sovereigns discussed among themselves.

Many of these Sovereigns were early-stage or mid-stage, and had never entered the cosmic sea. They were still unaware of Nine Peaks.

"Let's go."

"We need to leave quickly." The few Overlords in the group thanked their lucky stars, and hurriedly transmitted messages to the many Sovereigns.

Soon after, the tens of thousands of Sovereigns in the void, led by the Overlords, swiftly departed.

...

Silently, Wu Yuan's body refiner self returned to the Greenridge Macrocosm, while his ether body released his many friends and family.

For Wu Yuan himself, everything had returned to normal.

But the storm unleashed by this battle was just beginning.

The Immortal Court's Ling Jiang Saintdom had fallen, while the An Yu Temple and Yun Hai Temple were essentially destroyed.

The territories of the three Saintdoms still remained, with over ten thousand Sovereigns scattered across the many macrocosms under their territory. But without the support of their Saintdoms, how long could these Sovereigns resist in the face of an all-out assault by the Eldritch Court?

Moreover, throughout the entire Ling Jiang Universe, the headquarters of many other Saintdoms would gradually disband within a hundred years.

It was foreseeable that the entire Ling Jiang Universe would usher in the era of the Eldritch Court.

"Madness!"

"Overlord Wu Yuan is too formidable. I hear that Saintdoms everywhere are retreating, countless Sovereigns have fallen, and even several True Saints have perished."

"This is the era of our Eldritch Court Saintdom."

"Our Eldritch Court is destined to rule the entire Ling Jiang Universe." This news gradually spread to the countless Sovereigns of the Eldritch Court's Ling Jiang Saintdom.

They were excited to the point of frenzy. Even many Astral Monarchs, Archimmortals and Archdeities came to know of it.

After all, the fall of True Saints might not affect them, and they would find it difficult to learn of events at that level. But the collapse of several Saintdoms had an enormous impact on the entire universe, with immense repercussions even for those at the bottom.

The greatest impact was the change in territories. After the battle, the Eldritch Court began to expand rapidly. The territories of the Immortal Court's Ling Jiang Saintdom, An Yu Temple, and Yun Hai Temple were invaded simultaneously.

Faced with the Eldritch Court's expansion and conquest, the powerhouses of other Saintdoms lived in constant fear, dreading that they might become the next target.

Whether it was the lofty Dao Zenithels or the countless Overlords and Sovereigns, all were spreading rumors that Overlord Wu Yuan was about to step into eternity. And it was destined to be unstoppable.

...

In the Greenridge Macrocosm, at the Yuan Realm headquarters.

I really didn't expect this. Even the many Overlords of the Taiyuan Divine Court are somewhat panicked. They've started sending messages to my qi refiner self, hoping to get some information. Only Overlord Xin Ya remains fairly calm.

Wu Yuan browsed through the numerous messages he had received, feeling somewhat helpless.

The relationship between his two true selves was publicly that of sworn brothers. But in the eyes of the many Overlords and Sovereigns of the Taiyuan Divine Court, this involved the fate of vast territories across the universe – what friendship could compare?

Moreover, in the view of many Taiyuan Divine Court Overlords and Sovereigns, even if Overlord Wu Yuan was inclined to spare the Taiyuan Divine Court, would the Eldritch Court agree? One couldn't blame these Overlords and Sovereigns for their narrow perspective, as it concerned their vital interests. Those involved were blind to the situation.

But what does this have to do with me?

Wu Yuan's eyes remained calm.

Wu Yuan simply couldn't be bothered to deal with it.

The momentary struggle for the universe’s territories might seem important in the eyes of Sovereigns and Overlords, but to Wu Yuan it was hardly worth mentioning.

When my qi refiner self steps into eternity and opens up a Saint Realm, I'm afraid it will be the turn of countless powerhouses in the Eldritch Court's Ling Jiang Saintdom to panic.

Wu Yuan shook his head inwardly.

These were all foolish worries.

None of this is important. When I step into eternity and open up my Saint Realms, I will naturally obtain what I should.

Wu Yuan calmed his mind and silently continued his cultivation.