Chapter 1213: Entering The Holy Sect, The Number One Genius (4)

In the five million years since his arrival, Wu Yuan had strategically revealed his strength in measured increments. He had swiftly risen from an ordinary Sageling to one of the elite ten, and finally to the number one Sageling of the Qian Yang Holy Sect. His formidable reputation now echoed throughout the upper three realms.

During his exploits across the Second Realm, he had crossed swords with Sagelings from rival holy sects, slaying those foolish enough to challenge him. The consensus among cultivators across all six holy sects acknowledged him as the number one talent of their generation.

Inside the crystalline glacier hall, a purple-robed man sat comfortably on a jade platform, his posture relaxed yet dignified.

"Wu Ji, you've returned at last! How was your contemplation at the Eternal Depths Sea these past ten thousand years?" he inquired with a warm smile.

"I gained some modest insights," Wu Yuan replied, his lips curving into a smile, "though I remain distant from pioneering a Dao. I'll resume my cultivation now."

"Don’t worry," the purple-robed man assured him. "With me overseeing matters here, I'll personally notify you should anything of importance arise."

This purple-robed figure was Que Duo, a Perennial powerhouse serving as the guardian of Frost Island City. Though merely an ordinary Perennial in terms of raw strength, he consistently displayed exceptional courtesy toward Wu Yuan, convinced that the younger cultivator's future prowess would vastly outshine his own. Throughout Wu Yuan's time in Frost Island, Que Duo had persistently attempted to curry favor with him.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Wu Yuan could only respond politely, wishing to avoid unnecessary conflict with the city's guardian.

Within his private meditation chamber, Wu Yuan sat in lotus position. A flicker of disappointment crossed his features.

The Eternal Depths Sea yielded no traces either.

He murmured.

No great secrets to be found there.

Five million years had passed like a fleeting dream. In the distant Ling Jiang Universe, his two true selves had also remained in secluded cultivation throughout this span of time. How incomprehensibly long these years had been for Wu Yuan!

Throughout these five million years, Wu Yuan had journeyed far and wide under the identity of Overlord Wu Ji, venturing boldly into the First and Third Realms. He had explored nearly all renowned sites within the upper three realms.

His expeditions had yielded numerous treasures and legacies left behind by ancient powerful beings. For ordinary Overlords, such finds would represent unimaginable fortune, but for Wu Yuan, their usefulness proved minimal—virtually nonexistent.

I've even entered the Eternal Darkness Domain.

He reflected, his brow furrowing slightly.

There are indeed certain secrets hidden there, but it appears to be merely a treasure trove left behind by a True Saint.

As a privileged Sageling of the holy sect, Wu Yuan had gained access to the Eternal Darkness Domain—a mysterious place believed to be the ruins of a Saint Realm created by a True Saint. The domain was shrouded in intangible yet powerful rules, filled with dangers so extreme that even Wu Yuan might struggle to withstand some of its lethal traps.

Yet despite the risks, his explorations had yielded no truly significant discoveries.

There must be greater secrets concealed within these Nine Realms.

He pondered deeply.

Over millions of years, he had gradually climbed the ranks to become a core member of the Qian Yang Holy Sect.

Given his demonstrated talent, he had even earned audiences with several Saints of the holy sect. By his estimation, the sect harbored at least ten Saints among its ranks... but did any True Saints exist among them? This remained a mystery.

Yet the existence of True Saint relic sites was undeniable. Not only within the Qian Yang Holy Sect, but other holy sects appeared to maintain similar exploration grounds, though the origins of these sites remained conspicuously absent from the historical records of the Nine Realms.

The Holy Emperors.

Wu Yuan mused internally.

If the Nine Realms still conceal any truly significant secrets, they must rest with the six Holy Emperors.

But the Holy Emperors were as elusive as mythical dragons—their presence sensed but never truly witnessed. Wu Yuan had never laid eyes upon one. In fact, from what he had learned, even many Perennial powerhouses within the holy sect had never beheld Holy Emperor Qian Yang.

Perhaps if I deploy my mana body to investigate covertly, I might uncover something meaningful.

Wu Yuan had seriously considered this approach before ultimately abandoning it.

If the Holy Emperors proved to be merely Saints, his mana body could likely retreat undetected and unharmed. But what if they were True Saints?

Despite my improvements over these past five million years, I remain no match for a True Saint.

Wu Yuan acknowledged, shaking his head ruefully. Having invested so much time in the Nine Realms, he would be profoundly disappointed to leave without uncovering its ultimate secrets.

So he continued his patient search, waiting for the right opportunity.

More than ten years later, his meditation was suddenly interrupted.

Hmm?

Wu Yuan abruptly lifted his gaze toward the chamber entrance, resignation flashing across his face. Rising smoothly, he deactivated the defense array and strode purposefully outside.

Beyond the chamber stood not only Perennial Que Duo but also a woman draped in vibrant crimson robes that billowed around her powerfully built frame. She emanated an extraordinarily potent aura, clearly marking her as a formidable Overlord in her own right.

"Shang Cai," Wu Yuan greeted with a wry smile. "What brings you here?"

"Why can’t I be here?" the red-robed woman retorted coldly. "You're perpetually off cultivating for tens of thousands of years without a trace, never returning to the sect headquarters. Are you deliberately avoiding me?"

Her piercing gaze fixed on Wu Yuan accusingly. "If Perennial Que Duo hadn't sent me a message, I wouldn't even have known you were back in Frost Island City. Are you truly so unwilling to see me?"

Perennial Que Duo wore an expression of helpless apology. "Wu Ji, please don't blame me. It was the Sageling who insisted."

The red-robed woman, Shang Cai, was the cherished only daughter born to one of the Qian Yang Holy Sect's Saints. Her extraordinary talent had been nurtured meticulously under her father's guidance, enabling her to reach the fourth-stage Overlord level at a remarkably young age.

Before Wu Yuan's arrival, she had long reigned as the strongest among the sect's hundred or so Sagelings.

Even before Wu Yuan had surpassed her in strength, she had shown considerable interest in him. Later, as Wu Yuan grew increasingly powerful and repeatedly defeated her in combat, her fascination had blossomed into complete fixation.

"It's not that I'm unwilling to see you," Wu Yuan explained, shaking his head. "I'm simply devoted to my cultivation, focused on pioneering a Dao at the sempiternal stage. My journeys throughout the Saint Realm serve this purpose. While the sect headquarters offers excellent cultivation conditions, they provide limited benefit to me."

"Hmph!" Shang Cai snorted derisively. "Cultivating and traveling? Who are you trying to bluff? If you're merely traveling, why can't you take me along? My Dao cultivation level is barely lower than your own. I wouldn't slow your progress."

Wu Yuan found himself at a loss for words.

This Overlord Shang Cai possessed an exceptionally forthright personality. Her special status within the sect afforded her unusual privileges, and she had proven genuinely helpful to him in the past.

Upon learning of his explorations throughout the Nine Realms' many danger sites, she had personally petitioned her father to use his considerable influence to gather information on numerous exploration sites, which she had then delivered to Wu Yuan herself.

"Shang Cai," Wu Yuan began gently, "I've explained before that I have no desire for a Dao companion in this lifetime. I live solely for the pursuit of cultivation."

This remained his consistent reason for rejecting Overlord Shang Cai's advances. Wu Yuan understood with perfect clarity that he was ultimately just a transient visitor in the Nine Realms. There was no wisdom in leaving behind emotional entanglements.

"Perennial Que Duo, please step outside momentarily. I have private matters to discuss with Overlord Wu Ji," Shang Cai commanded.

"Certainly," Que Duo replied with an understanding smile before gliding away. As he departed, he thoughtfully activated the array's barrier, ensuring complete privacy.

Now only the two of them remained in the hall. Wu Yuan shifted uncomfortably under Shang Cai's intense gaze.

"Hmph! You can cease this pretense," she declared bluntly. "Unwilling to find a Dao companion? My father said precisely the same to my mother in their day, yet didn't he ultimately surrender to her persistence?" She fixed Wu Yuan with a penetrating glare. "I recognize you're at a critical juncture in your cultivation and wish to avoid distractions. Rest assured, I'm not attempting to make things hard for you at this moment."

Her voice softened slightly. "I understand the importance of priorities."

"I came today because I have something important for you. Take this." Overlord Shang Cai waved her hand, transferring a storage artifact to him. "Quickly refine the contents inside. Ensure nothing leaks out."

"What is this?" Wu Yuan asked, genuinely surprised. He extended his hand to accept the artifact, and after a brief examination with his Soul Force, shock registered visibly on his face. "Nine Voids Essence Serum?"

"Precisely!" Shang Cai's expression turned smug. "I'm giving it to you. Shouldn't you express gratitude to this young lady? With this, your prospects for Dao pioneering should improve dramatically."

"It's far too precious," Wu Yuan objected, shaking his head firmly. "This must be one of Saint Shang's treasured possessions. Did you take it without permission? I cannot accept such a gift. You likely haven't even used it yourself, have you?"

The Nine Voids Essence Serum was renowned throughout the Nine Realms—a treasure capable of granting cultivators an effect comparable to a spontaneous epiphany.

"Father administered it to me long ago. What remains serves no purpose for me. Father is aware I've taken it," Overlord Shang Cai stated bluntly, her unwavering gaze locked on Wu Yuan. "When I instruct you to use something, simply use it. You understand my personality well enough—if you refuse, I would rather destroy it entirely.

Her expression softened marginally. "Focus on your cultivation. I won't disturb you further. When you’ve pioneered your Dao, remember to notify me. I'll come to witness your achievement.

"Don't concern yourself needlessly. We're both Overlords—even if it requires ten billion or a hundred billion years, I can wait patiently. Who knows? I might even ascend to Sainthood before you."

With those parting words, she deactivated the barrier, turned gracefully, and departed, leaving behind a thoroughly perplexed Wu Yuan.