Chapter 1228: Xuanhuang Essence, Revived (2)

The vast hall appeared entirely empty except for one striking feature.

Suspended in the center of the chamber floated a crystalline sphere approximately one meter in diameter. Deep purple in hue, it was wrapped in tendrils of Xuanhuang qi. Its aura was subdued, yet the faint traces of energy that escaped confirmed that this purple orb was undoubtedly the source of the crushing pressure he had experienced earlier. It was incredibly mysterious.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

I cannot perceive it?

Wu Yuan’s mind shook with alarm. Though he could clearly see the sphere with his eyes, when he extended his Soul Force toward it, he detected absolutely nothing—as if scanning an empty void.

In battles between super powerhouses, physical sight meant little; combatants relied on detecting Dao fluctuations, distortions in spacetime, and emanations of soul power. For something to be visible yet imperceptible to his soul was profoundly disturbing.

What manner of object is this?

As curiosity mingled with apprehension, Wu Yuan extended a thin tendril of soul power toward the purple sphere.

The moment contact was made, the sphere responded.

Hum~

A crystalline radiance burst from the sphere, followed by a suction force with such ferocity it resembled a starving predator. With a sound like tearing fabric, that strand of Wu Yuan's soul power was instantly consumed by the purple sphere before vanishing completely from existence.

What?

A sharp pain lanced through Wu Yuan's ether body’s mind. He realized with horror that the portion of his soul energy hadn't merely been captured—it had been utterly annihilated.

His alarm deepened considerably.

"That's not how you approach the Xuanhuang Essence, little one." A deep voice resonated through the chamber—sonorous yet controlled, instilling an instinctive sense of trustworthiness.

Countless motes of silver light materialized from nothingness, coalescing beside the purple sphere into a figure draped entirely in silver robes. Subtle fluctuations surrounded the figure, making his features impossible to discern clearly. Wu Yuan felt only an overwhelming sense of danger emanating from the being—a threat that surpassed even a True Saint.

A Dao Zenithel? No.

Wu Yuan wondered.

Not a spirit either...

His shock grew with each passing moment. He had encountered many supreme beings before, including several Dao Zenithels, and was familiar with the aura of Xuanhuang Dao Treasures. Yet none possessed an aura as peculiar as this silver-robed figure—vast as oceanic depths in one moment and ephemeral as dreams the next, constantly shifting yet unquestionably real in each manifestation.

"I never expected to encounter such a monstrous prodigy in this new Primordial Epoch," the silver-robed figure observed, gazing down at Wu Yuan. "Two true selves and two self-created Daos... your potential truly knows no bounds. At the very least, from what I perceive, your talent surpasses even that of the Azure Saint in his early years."

"Wu Yuan offers his respects to Senior," Wu Yuan's mana and ether bodies bowed respectfully in unison. The figure had already seen through his secrets—continuing any pretense would be foolish.

"Wu Yuan? With 'Yuan' as your given name?" The silver-robed figure's lips curved slightly. "It reminds me of the Origin Saint, Saint Yuan."

"Senior is familiar with the Origin Saint?" Wu Yuan's astonishment deepened. This was the Azure Saint's Tomb, yet from the figure's tone, he seemed well acquainted with the Azure Saint himself.

"Naturally." The silver-robed figure's eyes reflected ancient memories. "The first Saint of the Primordium, the first Grand Supreme on the path of eternity. The Origin Saint stood unchallenged at the pinnacle of that distant era. At the end of the path of eternity, he glimpsed the Primordium itself. Above that realm, only the Origin Saint exists."

Wu Yuan listened, his mind trembling. Above the Primordium? The Origin Saint?

"That era has ultimately passed into dust. A new Primordium emerges, and everything begins anew. All that came before are mere traces in the tapestry of existence," the silver-robed figure said with a faint smile. "There's little point in asking further—it holds no significance for your journey. Look forward, not backward—that is how one reaches the summit."

"This junior shall heed your wisdom," Wu Yuan replied, feeling his curiosity inexplicably diminish.

"You call this place the Azure Saint Tomb, and indeed it is aptly chosen," the silver-robed figure continued. "Though the Azure Saint himself isn't interred within these walls, his past certainly lies buried here. He left behind numerous treasures, most of which regenerate endlessly. Only a select few rarities exist in limited quantities, and only the most extraordinary prodigies harbor any hope of obtaining them."

The figure gestured toward the purple sphere. "The Xuanhuang Essence is one such rarity."

Wu Yuan held his breath, his gaze drawn irresistibly to the purple sphere. The Xuanhuang Essence? A unique treasure left by the Azure Saint? How precious might it be? Could it rival a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure? His heart pulsed with anticipation.

"Normally, a sempiternal being could never obtain the Xuanhuang Essence right away. They would need to overcome countless trials first," the silver-robed figure explained. "Yet you successfully crossed the Path of One’s Dao. Your self-created Dao surpasses any I have witnessed before. I suspect even the Azure Saint never imagined someone would truly cross this path. Even the Heavenly Imperator or Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu would likely fall short by a small margin."

Wu Yuan concealed his shock at these words. Even the Heavenly Imperator and Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu couldn't accomplish what he had?

Upon reflection, it made sense. On the Path of Ancients, he challenged the countless Legends of the River, surpassing them all. Among sempiternal lifeforms, Wu Yuan felt confident claiming the title of greatest of all time.

"Therefore, you have earned the right to possess the Xuanhuang Essence," the silver-robed figure continued. "Furthermore, should you eventually take the fifth step of eternity, reaching the level of Grand Supreme, you will qualify to enter the forbidden zone of the Azure Saint Tomb. The Azure Saint left certain artifacts there. You'll discover the true purpose behind the creation of this tomb—but only after attaining the status of Grand Supreme."

“Grand Supreme?" Wu Yuan ventured. "Is the fifth step of eternity equivalent to the Grand Supreme stage?" This was an extraordinary revelation!

"The nomenclature of Dao cultivation levels shifts across eras," the silver-robed figure explained. "In the earliest days of the Azure Saint's era, the third step of eternity was called Holy Emperor, and the fourth step was termed Zenith Exaltor—for that was indeed the limit of that age. In your era, the fourth step of eternity is known as Dao Zenithel.

"The word 'Zenith' signifies culmination, finality. The chasm between the fourth and fifth steps of eternity has halted countless heroes in their tracks.

“However, during the Azure Saint's era, someone eventually made that fifth step. In time, the fifth step became known as Grand Supreme—representing the pinnacle of the Dao. The Dao itself may be boundless, without end, but at least in the Azure Saint's time, he and his contemporaries discovered no higher path. They had reached what seemed to be the ultimate summit."

"What of the Origin Saint?" Wu Yuan couldn't help asking.

The silver-robed figure paused momentarily. "The Origin Saint was... different. Ask no further about this matter. When you achieve the fifth step of eternity and return to this tomb, all will be revealed within the forbidden zone."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly, excitement kindling in his heart. So a path beyond the Dao Zenithel stage truly existed! The Heavenly Imperator and Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu did not represent the ultimate limit after all. What had been mere suspicion before was now confirmed truth.

This knowledge was invaluable. The act of pioneering had always been paramount in cultivation; knowing a path existed through the fog of mystery meant being able to keep walking forward with determination. Simultaneously, the silver-robed figure's words verified another truth—there were indeed Primordial Epochs. Before the Primordial Era, at the very beginning of time, lay an even more ancient past.

"Now, let me explain the purpose of the Xuanhuang Essence," the silver-robed figure said, gesturing toward the purple sphere.

Wu Yuan focused his complete attention.

"The Xuanhuang Essence is a treasure of unparalleled rarity—arguably the ultimate guardian artifact as one pursues the Dao. It contains Dao essence as well as Primordial profundities," the silver-robed figure explained slowly. "It serves two primary functions. First, it enables your mana body and ether body to anchor their souls, allowing them to coexist alongside the Primordium. This grants your mana body and ether body the ability to cultivate Eternal Psyches."

Wu Yuan's eyes brightened immediately.

As expected! Allowing both his mana body and ether body to cultivate an Eternal Psyche sounded deceptively simple, but was actually breathtakingly heaven-defying. This truly was the ultimate life-preserving treasure.

When venturing into the cosmic sea, Saints usually deployed their mana and ether bodies, which could wield power at the Threshold Saint level.

True Saints could empower their mana and ether bodies to match the Peak Saint level at most, perhaps reaching the Full Saint level in exceptional cases.

Dao Zenithels with mana or ether bodies beyond the Threshold True Saint level were considered impressive.

The gap in foundational power was simply too vast. Even with the extraordinarily high Dao cultivation level of True Saints and Dao Zenithels, bridging the disparity in foundational strength remained nearly impossible.

Consequently, as eternal powerhouses advanced in cultivation, the power gap between their mana or ether bodies and true selves widened dramatically. In critical moments, only their true selves possessed sufficient power for battle. If the true self fell? That meant true death.

This Xuanhuang Essence grants my mana body and ether body the ability to cultivate an Eternal Psyche each, allowing them to possess combat power equal to their respective true self.

Wu Yuan reflected internally.

This places me in an effectively undefeatable position. Even if my mana body and ether body fall in battle, they can be regenerated with sufficient time.

He imagined the scene of his mana and ether body fighting at full power, dying only to be recreated again and again. This was far more terrifying than merely being undying. Truly an ultimate treasure!