Chapter 1227: Xuanhuang Essence, Revived (1)

Even armed with True Saint Tian Chan's intelligence, Wu Yuan's mana body trembled uncontrollably when it finally crossed the eight thousand li threshold. The pressure emanating from the temple struck his very core—a terrifying force beyond description.

It wasn't a physical or mana-related force. It targeted something more fundamental: spirit and will, challenging the very radiance of one's self-created Dao.

Thankfully, Wu Yuan possessed advantages few others had. His mana body's spirit was exceptionally resilient—eternal and indestructible. The self-created Dao he had pioneered, Psyche Dream Rebirth, was also formidable in its own right. Though swaying precariously, his mana body managed to remain standing against the onslaught.

Passing through the Grand Supreme Realm appears deceptively simple.

Wu Yuan reflected inwardly.

But this single test has likely halted countless world-shaking prodigies in their tracks.

The difficulty was undeniable. With each step forward, he felt like he was shouldering the combined weight of countless worlds. Wu Yuan suspected that even the Legends of the River he'd encountered previously would struggle no less than him. Not because they lacked exceptional qualities, but because the Path of One’s Dao was inherently meant to challenge even the greatest.

Step by laborious step, Wu Yuan's mana body and ether body pressed forward.

...

As I expected.

True Saint Tian Chan murmured, gazing into the distance.

At this point, advancing even slightly is tremendously difficult. This mysterious white-robed Overlord might have extraordinary strength, but the soul class has always been peculiar. Great power doesn't necessarily translate to an exceptionally powerful self-created Dao. From what I observe, his pioneered Dao doesn't quite reach the pinnacle of top-tier self-created Daos.

Of course, self-created Daos evolve through constant refinement. For a newly created one to already reach the high-tier level is already quite remarkable...

His gaze drifted to the figure clothed in black robes. The sight froze him mid-thought.

This? How can this be possible?

True Saint Tian Chan stared in shock, his ungainly body nearly leaping up in astonishment.

The scene unfolding on the distant path defied all expectations. Throughout the first eight thousand li, the white-robed and black-robed figures had advanced shoulder to shoulder, displaying comparable strength. But upon crossing the eight thousand li threshold, the white-robed Overlord's pace slowed dramatically, clearly approaching his limit.

The black-robed figure, however, maintained his unhurried stride—neither rushing nor faltering. He walked the azure stone path as casually as one might stroll through a garden, his pace entirely unaffected.

How is this possible?

True Saint Tian Chan could scarcely believe his eyes.

Could the Path of One’s Dao have malfunctioned?

He immediately dismissed the thought. This was an ultimate treasure left by the Azure Saint—it couldn't simply malfunction.

The Azure Saint may be scum, but he ain’t dumb.

Tian Chan muttered. [1]

Only one explanation remained: Overlord Wu Ji's self-created Dao vastly surpassed that of the white-robed Overlord in power.

This defies all common sense.

Tian Chan thought, astounded.

Has this Overlord Wu Ji’s newly pioneered Dao already reached the pinnacle of top-tier self-created Daos?

In his experience, even Dao Zenithels struggled to refine their self-created Daos to the pinnacle. It seemed impossible for a mere sempiternal lifeform to achieve this.

Could this sempiternal being from the current Primordial Epoch truly be such a monster?

He wondered.

Still, no matter how strong Overlord Wu Ji's Dao is, he won’t be able to take it easy for long. When facing the final stretch, even those who achieve the pinnacle of top-tier self-created Daos will find it tremendously difficult to advance. He won’t be able to reach the end.

Tian Chan continued his silent observation as time flowed onward.

Eventually, when the white-robed figure reached the 8500 li mark, the black-robed figure had completed 9000 li, demonstrating an overwhelming advantage. Then he stepped into the final, most difficult section of the path.

The moment his foot crossed the threshold, the formless pressure seemed to solidify into something tangible. The spirit-targeted force distorted spacetime itself, causing the black-robed figure to halt abruptly, his form shuddering slightly.

He didn't fall immediately?

True Saint Tian Chan started in surprise before thinking.

But judging by his reaction, he likely cannot advance much further.

It's enough.

Tian Chan reasoned.

Reaching the final stage already qualifies one to enter the temple directly.

When the Azure Saint established this test, he never expected future challengers to walk directly into the temple. Those who broke past eight thousand li would face additional tests, and had a chance to enter if they met certain standards. Those surpassing nine thousand li could enter the temple directly. As long as one was able to enter the temple, one would have the qualifications to leave the Nine Realms.

True Saint Tian Chan watched the black-robed figure eagerly. What happened next left him utterly dumbfounded.

After standing motionless for what seemed like an eternity, Wu Yuan's ether body straightened. His posture normalized as though he had finally stabilized the energy and completely adapted to the final stage's crushing pressure.

Boom!

The radiance of Wu Yuan's ether body's self-created Dao blazed forth, seemingly materializing around him. He lifted his foot once more and began to advance, one deliberate step after another.

Rumble!

The temple's terrifying pressure, as if provoked by this defiance, intensified further—yet unlike before, it could no longer make Wu Yuan's ether body budge.

Boom! Boom!

Each footfall resonated through the stone path, echoing outward.

Every step Wu Yuan's ether body took appeared measured and difficult. Yet each step also carried unwavering determination.

This?

True Saint Tian Chan rose to his feet, his eyes wide with shock and glimmering excitement.

...

This pressure is far too intense

. Wu Yuan's ether body thought, gritting his teeth against the onslaught. Waves of unprecedented power swept over him, making his soul tremble and threaten to shatter.

His physical surroundings remained silent except for the echo of his footsteps, his body showing no signs of physical fatigue. This test targeted something deeper than flesh.

My Dao is the Heavenly Dao! New life emerges from destruction, accommodating all things, encompassing all existence. No pressure can break my self-created Dao.

His spirit sharpened like a saber, an invisible edge spanning his entire soul. The radiance of his self-created Dao bloomed brilliantly, slashing through the obstacles before him time and again.

Step by step, he advanced. Each forward movement constituted an immense test. Even with Wu Yuan's powerful self-created Dao, the journey remained incredibly difficult. Gradually, his spirit grew more fatigued, yet Wu Yuan persisted with everything he had, exerting every last fragment of his strength!

This was undeniably a nightmarish journey. The final thousand li proved a hundred—no, a thousand times more difficult than the previous nine thousand combined.

Time lost all meaning under that crushing pressure. Wu Yuan's spirit and will teetered on the brink of collapse, his consciousness growing hazy.

Finally, with one last monumental effort, Wu Yuan took the final step. His foot landed heavily on the temple steps.

A subtle fluctuation passed through the air, causing Wu Yuan's ether body to vanish instantly from the end of the Path of One’s Dao.

His mana body had already disappeared much earlier. When his ether body had reached the 9300 li mark, the mana body had struggled past the 9000 li mark. However, upon entering the final stage, it was immediately overwhelmed by the pressure, promptly transported away.

Now, both Wu Yuan's mana body and ether body had vanished, leaving the Path of One’s Dao empty once more.

...

This! These two are both worthy of being called monsters!

Hidden within the mist, True Saint Tian Chan watched in shock as Wu Yuan's ether body completed the ten thousand li Path of One’s Dao and entered the temple concealed within the streams of Xuanhuang qi.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

How could this Primordial Epoch produce such a monster?

He marveled.

The white-robed Overlord is remarkable enough—though he entered the final stage, he failed immediately. Such world-class prodigies, while rare, still exist during this Primordial Era; I've seen and heard of some.

But this Overlord Wu Ji? Merely a sempiternal lifeform, yet directly entering the Grand Supreme Temple? What manner of monster is this?

His heart pounded with astonishment.

It was too extraordinary. Even he had never witnessed or heard of such a feat.

The Azure Saint? No! The Azure Saint was vastly inferior to Overlord Wu Ji in his youth.

True Saint Tian Chan concluded.

Grand Supreme potential—this Overlord Wu Ji absolutely possesses the potential to become a Grand Supreme!

The Dao he has pioneered likely already qualifies as a Primordial self-created Dao.

The realization made True Saint Tian Chan laugh aloud.

That damned Azure Saint—I’m sure you weren’t expecting this when you sealed me here.

Finally, I see the light of freedom, and even the hope of following a Grand Supreme.

His heart swelled.

He will definitely succeed! You damned Azure Saint—all the treasures you left behind will be unearthed.

The very thought filled True Saint Tian Chan with unbridled excitement.

...

In the shadowy hall, rows of divine azure pillars stretched into the distance, while the floors were paved with the same azure stone slabs.

With a soft rushing sound, Wu Yuan’s two incarnations materialized simultaneously—his mana body appearing strong and stable while his ether body immediately crumpled to the floor. The terrifying pressure he had endured moments before had vanished completely, allowing his tensed being to finally relax. [2]

This moment of weakness lasted only briefly. Wu Yuan quickly regained his composure, his ether body rising steadily to stand alongside his mana body.

What is this place? The innermost core of the Grand Supreme Realm?

Wu Yuan murmured as both incarnations surveyed their surroundings.

1. fun fact: It rhymed in the raws too. 青圣是坏，但青圣可不菜. 坏 (huai) = bad/evil. 菜 (cai) = vegetable but colloquially means "weak," "unskilled," or "inexperienced". My husband was the one who came up with this line and wants to be credited here under his rapper name chickenwingzz. ☜

2. I thought it would be the other way round tho ☜