Chapter 1226: Tian Chan’s Proposal, The Path Of One’s Dao (4)

"Three treasures," Tian Chan finally said through gritted teeth. "Let me retain just three treasures. I will surrender the rest. In exchange, I will swear by the Primordium to follow you for ten samsara cycles of heaven and earth after our departure. This arrangement is an extraordinarily good deal for you."

"Having one more True Saint follower means little to me," Wu Yuan shook his head.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

This wasn't mere posturing. A True Saint? In the foreseeable future, Wu Yuan's body refiner self would become a Dao Zenithel of the Eldritch Court. He would hardly lack True Saint followers.

"Once I return to the cosmic sea with you, I will break through to become a Dao Zenithel," Tian Chan stared intently at Wu Yuan. "Consider that—a Dao Zenithel follower must be rare even in this Primordial Epoch."

Wu Yuan felt tempted but inwardly surprised. Dao Zenithel? Was this True Saint Tian Chan attempting to deceive him? The power displayed by his incarnations hardly suggested that he was close to advancing to Dao Zenithel.

Moreover, Tian Chan's reference to ‘this Primordial Epoch’ raised Wu Yuan's suspicions. Could this entity be a powerhouse born in the previous Primordial Epoch? How could such a thing be possible?

"Overlord Wu Ji, I face certain constraints. Some matters will become self-evident once you pass through the Grand Supreme Realm," Tian Chan shook his head. "I've cultivated for countless ages, and long since gained certainty of my breakthrough to Dao Zenithel. Upon our return to the cosmic sea, you will naturally understand."

Wu Yuan pondered momentarily.

"Alright!" he finally nodded. "I'll trust you this once. But if you fail to break through to Dao Zenithel after our return, you must surrender those three treasures you're keeping."

"Agreed," Tian Chan nodded. "Don’t worry. Once you pass through the Grand Supreme Realm, you'll naturally verify the truth of my promise.

"As for the incarnation technique—this is a unique ability of mine. You can only learn it within the Grand Supreme Realm; I cannot teach it to you. And should you fail to pass through the Grand Supreme Realm? Then our present agreement becomes meaningless."

"You might destroy these few incarnations of mine, but you cannot eliminate my true self," Tian Chan continued. "Here is the intelligence on the Grand Supreme Realm. Take it—though whether you possess this knowledge or not makes little difference."

With a wave of his forelegs, True Saint Tian Chan released a divine slip that floated toward Wu Yuan.

In that instant, the three Holy Emperors and the hideous toad-like figure transformed into streaks of light, vanishing into the distance before plunging directly into the swirling Xuanhuang qi.

What exactly is the identity of this True Saint Tian Chan?

Wu Yuan frowned slightly as he reached out to grasp the divine slip. His Soul Force surged into it, absorbing and comprehending the information contained within.

Is it truly this simple?

Wu Yuan muttered.

This Tian Chan had better not be deceiving me.

Upon reflection, however, the other party had no reason for deception. Wu Yuan would discover the truth with minimal effort.

Let's proceed!

With no further obstacles, Wu Yuan effortlessly arrived at the void continent's edge, landing directly on the azure stone-paved path.

The moment his foot touched the stone, an invisible wave instantly enveloped him.

Hmm?

Wu Yuan's expression shifted. This mysterious wave ignored his physical form entirely, targeting only his spirit and consciousness. He felt his entire being tremble.

Something's not right.

His white-robed mana body instantly materialized at his ether body’s side. The pressure on his ether body immediately decreased while the mana body absorbed tremendous force.

Both mana body and ether body bear identical pressure?

Wu Yuan silently mused.

According to True Saint Tian Chan's intelligence, the way to pass through the Grand Supreme Realm is remarkably simple. There is only one condition—successfully crossing this stone path.

In True Saint Tian Chan's intelligence, he referred to the stone path as the “Path of One’s Dao." This name came about because crossing it tested neither physical strength nor mastery of techniques or divine abilities, but solely examined one's spirit, will, and self-created Dao.

According to his intelligence, sempiternal lifeforms and eternal lifeforms experience vastly different levels of pressure when walking this path.

Wu Yuan thought.

Sempiternal lifeforms who have yet to pioneer their self-created Daos will be unable to take a single step. Saints, despite facing extreme pressure, have all pioneered their self-created Daos. Even with a weak Dao, they can advance to some extent by the radiance of their self-created Dao.

Wu Yuan recalled Saint Shang Yue mentioning that certain top Saints from the Nine Realms had been taken to the Grand Supreme Realm by the Holy Emperors. Now he understood—they were likely captured by True Saint Tian Chan and forced to walk the Path of One's Dao, but all had failed.

Among the Saints born in the Nine Realms, the vast majority possess only ordinary self-created Daos. Even so-called peerless geniuses have pioneered merely superior self-created Daos at best.

Wu Yuan reflected.

Top-tier self-created Daos? Throughout the cosmic sea, anyone pioneering such a Dao would become a True Saint at minimum.

Hazy light burst forth simultaneously from Wu Yuan's mana body and ether body, its power rippling outward with majestic force.

My Dao is the Heavenly Dao!

Psyche Dream Rebirth!

Two self-created Daos bloomed forth at once, immediately weakening the pressure on Wu Yuan's two bodies.

As expected. It appears True Saint Tian Chan wasn’t lying after all.

Wu Yuan thought, gazing into the depths of the azure stone path. Dense Xuanhuang qi drifted about, partially concealing a barely visible hall in the distance.

According to True Saint Tian Chan, successfully entering that hall would constitute passing through the Grand Supreme Realm. As for what treasures awaited?

Given the operational rules of the Azure Saint Tomb, with such a demanding test, the corresponding rewards must be extraordinarily remarkable.

Wu Yuan reasoned.

It was worth noting that Wu Yuan had merely entered the outer region—the test designed for sempiternal lifeforms. Just obtaining the Grand Supreme Token to reach this point required capabilities beyond most. Even fourth-stage Overlord strength would prove insufficient. Only Legends of the River stood any chance at all. Upon success, the benefits would surely be substantial.

If I manage to obtain the method to cultivate an eternal-level incarnation, this journey would have been worthwhile.

Wu Yuan thought, brimming with anticipation.

With measured steps, Wu Yuan's mana body and ether body advanced simultaneously onto the stone path, progressing steadily. His pace was swift—in mere moments, he traversed the first thousand li of the ten-thousand-li path.

Boom! Boom!

As he entered the second thousand-li segment, the invisible pressure acting on Wu Yuan's two bodies suddenly intensified dramatically. Without preparation, he might have suffered setbacks, but armed with True Saint Tian Chan's intelligence, Wu Yuan easily adapted to this change.

Each thousand-li interval of the ten-thousand-li Path of One's Dao transformed qualitatively from the last.

The pressure increases noticeably.

Wu Yuan realized.

Completing the full ten thousand li will not be easy—fitting for something with ‘Grand Supreme’ in its name. If crossing it were too easy, how could it merit such a designation?

Even so, the pressure of the second stage remained manageable for Wu Yuan's mana and ether body.

...

Not far from the azure stone path, hidden within an area veiled by swirling clouds of Xuanhuang qi, True Saint Tian Chan observed the scene quietly.

So effortless.

He studied the distant figures intently.

This Wu Ji and that enigmatic white-robed Overlord possess extraordinary might indeed. To pioneer a Dao at the sempiternal stage... their self-created Daos must be nothing short of top-tier.

Countless years of failed attempts had etched a bitter lesson into True Saint Tian Chan's mind. Ordinary self-created Daos stood no chance whatsoever. Even superior self-created Daos could enable one to advance to the sixth stage at most. Only top-tier self-created Daos gave one any genuine possibility of success.

I've consumed the essence of innumerable Saints.

He reflected, jaw clenching as regret flashed across his features.

My self-created Dao has evolved continuously since my awakening, yet it is still far from reaching the top tier.

If his Dao had evolved to the top tier, perhaps he might glimpse a faint ray of hope of passing this challenge.

Nevertheless, he understood well that even common top-tier self-created Daos likely couldn't enable one to walk this path to its end. This was, after all, the Grand Supreme Realm, the legacy of the Azure Saint himself.

Thus, after extensive deliberation, he decided to strike his wager with Wu Yuan.

A Legend of the River with the strength of a Threshold Saint is impressive enough.

True Saint Tian Chan mused, his gaze never leaving the distant figures.

Yet this Overlord Wu Ji can display the power of a Full Saint. His self-created Dao must be truly exceptional—likely the pinnacle among even top-tier self-created Daos.

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

It seems to approach the legendary Primordial self-created Daos. Perhaps it can satisfy the Azure Saint's outrageous requirements.

At the mere thought of the Azure Saint, waves of fury surged through True Saint Tian Chan's heart.

That damned fellow.

He snarled under his breath.

Even after departing, he won’t let me have any peace.

He focused his attention on Wu Yuan's mana body and ether body with unblinking intensity.

Three thousand li. Six thousand li! His anticipation mounted with each milestone.

Soon he’ll reach the eight thousand li mark. Those with a top-tier self-created Dao would normally stop at this point. I hope this Overlord Wu Ji doesn't disappoint me.

Indeed, as Wu Yuan pressed forward, the pressure assailing his mana and ether bodies escalated to an almost inconceivable degree.

When he finally crossed the threshold into the eight-thousand-li range, the reaction was immediate.

Boom! Boom!

The invisible pressure surged violently, causing even Wu Yuan's spirit to roar and erupt in protest against the overwhelming force.

Wu Yuan's mana body faltered, his footing unsteady. The invisible pressure had intensified to such an extent that his mana body struggled to withstand its crushing might.