Chapter 1230: Xuanhuang Essence, Revived (4)

"Very well, as long as you accept willingly," the silver-robed figure nodded before turning back to Wu Yuan. "I've sealed the Xuanhuang Essence for you. Store it within your internal space for now. Full refinement must wait until you’ve achieved eternity."

He added, "Also, keep your mana body."

With a thunderous rumble, the aura of the Xuanhuang Essence rapidly retracted, the orb collapsing and shrinking until it resembled a fist-sized sphere.

Wu Yuan's ether body first stored his mana body in his grotto-heaven, then the sealed Xuanhuang Essence.

"Master," True Saint Tian Chan exclaimed, eyes widening in astonishment, "is this white-robed Overlord your mana body?"

Only now did this realization dawn on him, his expression shifting from surprise to shock.

"There are many secrets you've yet to learn," Wu Yuan replied with a measured smile. "Remember, do not speak a word of this."

"Yes! Yes, of course!" Tian Chan nodded vigorously, his excitement evident. If he had previously estimated Wu Yuan's chances of achieving Grand Supreme status at fifty percent, his confidence had now soared considerably higher.

The thought left him practically trembling with anticipation—two true selves, each pioneering terrifying Daos, and now they’ve even obtained the Xuanhuang Essence!

"Good. I shall send you on your way," the silver-robed figure said, waving his hand once more.

A spacetime vortex formed nearby, transmitting vast, profound fluctuations mixed with an aura Wu Yuan recognized immediately—the cosmic sea.

"Senior, I shall take my leave," Wu Yuan said, bowing respectfully before gliding smoothly into the spacetime vortex.

"Old Yin, I’ll be going now," True Saint Tian Chan called, bouncing happily toward the portal.[1] He couldn't resist turning back with a final quip: "Try not to miss me too much when you're all alone by yourself."

"Get in," the silver-robed figure muttered, finally losing his patience and delivering a swift kick to Tian Chan's backside, sending him tumbling into the vortex.

As the spacetime vortex slowly closed and dissipated, tranquility settled across the vast hall once more.

"This Tian Chan," the silver-robed figure mused, shaking his head as his body dissolved into countless points of shimmering light. "I truly cannot fathom why he chose to manifest as a toad."

...

Within the vast, boundless expanse of the cosmic sea, the Azure Saint Tomb in the Heartland of the Central Megaverse stood as the most mysterious place of all.

Even beings as formidable as Dao Zenithels struggled to peer into the core of the Azure Saint Tomb, let alone rescue those trapped within.

Two azure-robed figures streaked through the void at several times the speed of light, heading toward the massive structure looming in the distance.

"I never imagined that we’d get our hands on the Azure Saint Watchtower," remarked one of them—a tall, thin figure. "I thought I'd never get the chance to challenge the Azure Saint Tomb in this lifetime."

"Exactly," his burly companion replied. "In the past, only fourth-stage Overlords could challenge the Azure Saint Tomb, and entry tokens were rarer than phoenix feathers."

He chuckled darkly. "When you think about it, we should be grateful to Overlords Wu Yuan and Ming Jian.

"If they hadn't slaughtered so many powerful Overlords from our Immortal Court, when would our turn ever come?"

"Indeed," the first agreed. "That battle several million years ago was indeed brutal."

The two Immortal Court Overlords continued chatting casually as they traveled.

Millions of years had passed, and countless changes had reshaped the cosmic sea, yet the reputation of Overlords Wu Yuan and Ming Jian still reverberated like thunder, striking fear into the hearts of innumerable Overlords and Perennials of the Immortal Court.

Suddenly, the tall, thin Overlord halted. "Hmm?" he murmured, his attention drawn to a disturbance in the distant void.

Space twisted violently, and two figures materialized from nothingness. One wore black robes and emanated a majestic aura despite only emitting the aura of an Overlord.

Beside him stood a strange beast resembling a toad, radiating the unmistakable power of a Perennial.

"Who are they?" one Overlord asked.

"Wu Yuan!" the other gasped, recognition dawning immediately. "It's Wu Yuan! That appearance and vital aura...There’s no mistake.” His face drained of color.

Wu Yuan hadn't bothered to alter his appearance, making him instantly recognizable. Moreover, few Overlords in the entire cosmic sea could stand as equals beside a Perennial powerhouse, matching that tremendous vital aura.

“Flee!” They decided in unison.

They transformed into streaks of light, frantically retreating into the distance.

Hmm? Two Overlords?

Wu Yuan had noticed them but couldn't immediately identify who they were.

The Immortal Court had far too many members. It had countless Overlords scattered across the endless cosmic sea, various Saint Realms, and Eternal Realms.

"Stop," Wu Yuan commanded.

With a mere thought, his white-robed mana body materialized beside him, radiating invisible waves of power.

The soul fluctuations instantly enveloped the distant Immortal Court Overlords. Their eyes glazed over as Wu Yuan peered directly into their spirit worlds.

Overlords? Immortal Court Overlords?

He murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.

Without further hesitation, he acted. A soft hum resonated through the void, and silently, the two Immortal Court Overlords perished where they stood.

"Master, your killing intent is truly formidable," True Saint Tian Chan remarked with a croaking chuckle. "Those fools dared to flee without paying proper respect. I'm offended on your behalf, though perhaps forcing them to kneel and kowtow ten thousand times before surrendering their treasures might have sufficed."

He tilted his head admiringly. "But that's why you're the master—killing them with a single thought, truly decisive. Is this how matters are handled in the cosmic sea these days? It seems I have much to learn."

Wu Yuan's expression darkened at these words as he cast a sidelong glance at True Saint Tian Chan.

With a swift motion, he produced several divine slips and handed them over. "Tian Chan, these contain essential information about the cosmic sea. Study them thoroughly before we proceed further."

"Master is most thoughtful," Tian Chan replied eagerly, accepting the slips and immediately immersing himself in their contents.

The divine slips revealed comprehensive information: the balance of major powers across the cosmic sea, intelligence on various Dao Zenithels and True Saints, detailed accounts of exploration sites throughout the endless expanses, and more.

"Immortal Court powerhouses?" Tian Chan croaked in sudden realization. "So, Master, your body refiner self is part of the Eldritch Court, while your qi refiner self serves the Blood Dream Alliance... How delightfully cunning you are, Master!"

Wu Yuan's expression darkened further.

"Does this mean," Tian Chan asked excitedly, "that since you belong to the Eldritch Court, I'm also affiliated with them? Can I freely slaughter Immortal Court powerhouses from now on?"

"Wait until my body refiner self undergoes Dao Enlightenment and secures a higher status within the Eldritch Court," Wu Yuan explained with strained patience. "Then I'll arrange for your formal introduction. Attempting to join now would subject you to endless interrogations and scrutiny."

No faction would readily welcome powerful cultivators who appeared suddenly out of nowhere, fearing infiltration or hidden agendas—especially someone like True Saint Tian Chan, a True Saint with no traceable history.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"I understand completely, Master," Tian Chan nodded sagely. "Where do we head now? Back to the River of Universes?"

"I must return there to deliver the Xuanhuang Essence," Wu Yuan confirmed. "You should establish a new Saint Realm for yourself first. There will be more opportunities for you to demonstrate your abilities in the future."

"Very well. Allow me to escort you to the entrance of the Saint Realm passage, Master," Tian Chan offered.

Despite his seemingly erratic demeanor, his mind remained clear and focused.

The two transformed into streaks of light, swiftly flying away from the Azure Saint Tomb. The journey to the Saint Realm passage would take at least a hundred years from their current position.

...

"What?"

"Wu Yuan has appeared? Near the Azure Saint Tomb?" At the Immortal Court headquarters, news from the two unfortunate Overlords arrived with alarming swiftness, rippling through their ranks.

Within moments, activity erupted throughout the Immortal Court Voidrealm. Immortal Eminence Jiu You’s avatar manifested in the hall, followed by a group of True Saints. Immediately, they began contemplating the matter.

"After several million years of absence, Wu Yuan has finally revealed himself, and at the Azure Saint Tomb of all places? Was he attempting to challenge it?"

"No! It didn’t look like he was preparing for an attempt. He must have just returned from exploring it. The Overlords' report indicates he materialized suddenly in the void, precisely matching one of the three known exit patterns from the Azure Saint Tomb."

"Given his reputation as a monstrous prodigy, his gains must be extraordinary."

"This explains everything. No wonder he hasn't undergone Dao Enlightenment during these millions of years. He has been exploring the Azure Saint Tomb all along."

As each Saint contributed their insights, the fragmented puzzle was pieced together, closely mirroring Wu Yuan's actual journey.

Silence fell as Immortal Eminence Jiu You finally straightened, his melodious voice drifting through the hall. "The Wu Yuan who appeared was most likely his ether body. Even if success is not guaranteed, we must seize this opportunity to eliminate him."

His piercing gaze swept across the assembly before settling on two particular figures. "Xiao Yao, Jiu Fang—among all True Saints, your Saint Realms lie closest to the Azure Saint Tomb. You could reach it within a hundred years. Moreover, your karmic threads with Wu Yuan are the most defined.”

Immortal Eminence Jiu You's eyes narrowed as he addressed the two directly. "Are you willing to undertake this mission with your true selves?"

His gaze lingered on True Saint Xiao Yao, who had recently revived.

1. 银 (yin) = silver ☜