Chapter 1265: Winds Of Change (1)

As Wu Yuan delved deeper into the Ten Chaos Voids, he began to perceive underlying operational rules of this mysterious realm, much like those that dictated the Azure Saint Tower. Perhaps they were governed by the Primordial Rules or the workings of some unfathomable being.

The pioneering phase yielded nothing but scraps.

Wu Yuan reflected.

The most valuable discoveries were merely damaged Xiantian Instruments, worth at most a few hundred thousand Xuanhuang merits.

He understood the value of artifacts well. Those with minor damage could be restored at a cost, preserving much of their value. But the severely damaged ones? They could only be broken down for materials, retaining a mere tenth of their original worth.

After 5,000 years of relentless exploration by over ten thousand True Saints, that pioneering phase has concluded.

He sighed, shaking his head.

Now the real treasures are beginning to surface. According to the Eldritch Court intelligence, when these major treasures emerge, they generate spacetime fluctuations across vast distances.

It struck him as deliberate, as if these treasures intentionally broadcasted their presence, drawing powerful beings toward them like moths to flame.

Despite this knowledge, Wu Yuan remained unperturbed. With his current abilities, he felt confident challenging even True Saint Luan Hai, the figure at the top of the True Saint Rankings.

In a blur of motion, Wu Yuan streaked through the void, following the spacetime fluctuations at an astonishing 800 times light speed, hurtling toward his destination.

Six years passed in what seemed like an instant.

...

This was a celestial body, a massive sphere over 300 million li in diameter, its surface so tough that even True Saints would struggle to damage it. Yet its durability alone wasn't remarkable; the Tenth Chaos Void contained countless such resilient celestial bodies.

What made this place extraordinary was the gathering of over forty True Saints hovering around it, their powerful auras pulsing through the void as they watched the enormous vortex of flames swirling across the celestial body's surface. It was clear that these weren't ordinary flames.

"Qian Qi, how much longer until the treasure emerges?" The octopus-like True Saint rumbled, his massive form leading a group of five figures positioned near the flame vortex.

"A month at minimum, perhaps a few at most," replied the humanoid True Saint Qian Qi. "The treasure will certainly appear. We must exercise patience."

"Hmph!" True Saint Shen Long's tentacles writhed in agitation. "I'd love to be patient, but surely you sense the over forty True Saints racing here along the spacetime fluctuations.

“They maintain their distance for now, watching cautiously. But when the treasure finally surfaces, dozens of True Saints uniting against us could prove catastrophic."

"I understand your concern," True Saint Qian Qi acknowledged with a helpless shrug. "But these Chaos Flames are shielding the treasure. Even someone of True Saint Luan Hai's caliber will be helpless to obtain it. Venture too deep in search of the prize, and we'd likely be incinerated before ever reaching it."

The group exchanged troubled glances. Their team of five was formidable by any standard. True Saint Shen Long had Full True Saint strength, and the other four were at the Peak True Saint level. This combination was enough to intimidate most adversaries.

They could even challenge those ranked among the top 100 of the True Saint Rankings.

But as the saying goes, even tigers fear wolf packs. Though the forty-plus surrounding True Saints were generally weaker, with few at the Peak True Saint level, their combined might could still overwhelm this group.

"Don't overthink this," True Saint Qian Qi reassured them, her eyes scanning the distant figures lurking in the void. "There's only one major treasure here. These dozens of True Saints represent various competing factions—they'll never truly unite."

The five of them had sworn blood oaths long ago and served the same faction, creating a bond of trust that would be their greatest advantage.

Day by day, the vortex of Chaos Flames grew more turbulent, thrashing across the celestial body's surface with increasing fury. More True Saints gathered in the area, but none dared approach directly, deterred by Shen Long and Qian Qi's presence.

"Let's wait and see."

"Perhaps someone will make the first move."

"There might be Peak True Saints hiding, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

The nearly fifty True Saints from various factions harbored similar thoughts, each hoping someone else would take the risk first, allowing them to capitalize on the ensuing chaos.

Another ten days vanished in a blur. The Chaos Flames churned with unprecedented violence, suggesting the imminent emergence of the treasure.

Shen Long, Qian Qi, and their companions prepared to act, vigilantly monitoring the dozens of True Saints scattered throughout the surrounding void.

The atmosphere crackled with tension.

Suddenly, a black-robed figure materialized in the distant void, far from the celestial body. His aura, vast and unrestrained, billowed around him like storm clouds as he flew directly toward the Chaos Flame vortex.

"Another True Saint has arrived."

"What tremendous power..."

"Who could it be?"

"How reckless, he’s charging straight toward those flames!"

The black-robed figure immediately captured the attention of every True Saint present.

After a moment of stunned silence, recognition dawned in the eyes of several powerhouses:

"It's True Saint Wu Yuan!"

"He’s from the Eldritch Court; the super powerhouse ranked thirteenth on the True Saint Rankings," exclaimed several True Saints.

"Wu Yuan!"

"He’s ranked thirteenth on the Rankings, and a Dao Zenithel claimed he should now place in the top ten!" The expressions of Shen Long, Qian Qi, and their companions darkened with dread.

How had they attracted such a menace? The Tenth Chaos Void was unfathomably vast, with over ten thousand True Saints wandering throughout the expanse. The chances of encountering even one powerhouse ranked in the top hundred were small.

Yet somehow, this treasure had drawn Wu Yuan to them.

"What should we do?" Qian Qi's gaze darted anxiously toward Shen Long, their de facto leader and strongest member.

"Don't panic," Shen Long began, his voice strained. "The treasure hasn't emerged yet. We still have a chan—"

Boom!

Before Shen Long could finish, Wu Yuan plunged directly into the swirling Chaos Flame vortex, completely ignoring them and the other True Saints.

Shen Long's words died in his throat.

Qian Qi and the others stared in disbelief. The dozens of True Saints scattered throughout the void watched with shocked expressions.

Those were Chaos Flames!

This fire had reached Dao Zenithel level power, possessing might capable of incinerating anything they touched. This massive vortex was a deterrent force comparable to a Threshold Dao Zenithel Void Spirit.

Boom!

Wu Yuan's body transformed, expanding to tens of millions of li as he strode fearlessly into the inferno. Countless flames surged toward him like living entities, engulfing his massive form in milliseconds.

Rumble!

The entire Chaos Flame vortex erupted, as if stirred to fury by this intrusion.

Silence fell over the gathered True Saints, both in the void and on the celestial body's surface. Even Shen Long, Qian Qi, and their companions retreated instinctively, fearing they might be caught in the raging flames.

"Has True Saint Wu Yuan really become this powerful?"

"This is..."

"Is he not afraid of being burned alive?"

Similar thoughts echoed through the minds of the assembled True Saints.

Moments later—

Boom!

An enormous black-armored figure soared skyward, clutching a great cauldron that radiated an overwhelming aura. Though damaged, with a prominent crack running across its surface, the cauldron's nature was unmistakable—a Chaos Treasure.

"A Chaos Treasure!"

"Though damaged..."

"Even in this state, it's worth tens of millions of spirit points; enough to trade for at least ten Xiantian Instruments."

The eyes of every True Saint present blazed with envy. Most of these cultivators, limited by their relative weakness, hadn't dared explore the more dangerous regions of the Chaos Void. Combined with their slower travel speeds, most had accumulated only one or two million Xuanhuang merits, not enough to redeem a single Xiantian Instrument.

Yet this one damaged Chaos Treasure exceeded the combined earnings of dozens of Standard True Saints. How could they not covet such a prize?

Wu Yuan, clutching the divine cauldron, soared upward through the void. Flames still licked at his massive form, making him appear somewhat disheveled, yet they couldn't truly harm him.

Just as he prepared to depart—

"True Saint Wu Yuan, we were the first to guard this place," Shen Long called out, his voice carrying through the spacetime fluctuations.

Wu Yuan halted instantly. This sudden stop made the hearts of Shen Long, Qian Qi, and the others freeze in their chests. Their instincts screamed at them to flee.

"Oh?" Wu Yuan lowered his gaze, acknowledging Shen Long for the first time.

That cold stare chilled Shen Long to his core.

"No!" Shen Long trembled visibly. "True... True Saint Wu Yuan, I meant no offense. I merely wished to say that while we arrived first, this treasure is clearly destined for you. It's only right that you claimed it."

Wu Yuan offered the slightest nod, saying nothing.

In no time, Wu Yuan imprinted his vital aura on the divine cauldron to establish preliminary ownership. Then, with a wave of his hand, he stored the great artifact away. With blinding speed, he vanished into the depths of the void, disappearing from the senses of the dozens of True Saints.

Silence descended once more.

"Don't look at me like that," Shen Long muttered, feeling the gazes of Qian Qi and the others boring into him. He shook his head with a bitter smile. "When True Saint Wu Yuan looked at me, I truly felt death's shadow enveloping me. I simply couldn't summon the courage to challenge him."

"Brother Shen Long, we don't think that you’re cowardly," Qian Qi quickly reassured him. "On the contrary, we’re impressed by your guts. You actually dared to address True Saint Wu Yuan."

Shen Long had no response.

A moment of heavy silence went by.

"Let's go. Being intimidated by True Saint Wu Yuan isn't particularly shameful," Shen Long murmured, leading Qian Qi and the others away from the celestial body.

A man’s reputation was like a tree’s shadow.

Wu Yuan's power was immense. His gaze carried the weight of his self-created Dao’s intent, creating a tangible force that few could withstand. Of course, a mere glance wasn't sufficient to subdue a Full True Saint.

No, it was the towering shadow of his reputation that truly cowed his opponents. His previous battles, particularly his feat of single-handedly repelling three hundred True Saints of the Abyss Alliance and slaughtering four of them, were enough to instill fear.

When True Saint Shen Long and the others witnessed Wu Yuan stride fearlessly into the Chaos Fire and emerge without a scratch, their resolve finally crumbled.

...

In the endless void, Wu Yuan streaked forward with breathtaking speed, a solitary figure against the infinite darkness.

The Chaos Fire proved far stronger than I anticipated. I was nearly burned by those flames.

Wu Yun muttered to himself.

He had numerous encounters with Chaos Fire previously, but this experience had been entirely different. Wu Yuan had believed himself capable of withstanding its fury, which explained his bold charge. However, those previous manifestations of Chaos Fire extended only a hundred thousand li. This one spanned ten million li. How could he have foreseen that it would be so much more frightening?

Wu Yuan knew with bone-deep certainty that lingering there for a while longer would have reduced him to ashes.

Fortunately, my complete mastery of the Eternal Matter Body has enhanced my physical defenses beyond previous limits. Combined with the Ancestral Pagoda's projection guarding my Yuan Soul, those flames couldn't corrode my soul.

With each passing moment, he grew more convinced that choosing the Robe of Creation had been the wisest decision. Only by living could one have everything.

...

Time flowed inexorably onward, and the years passed by.

Wu Yuan continued to traverse the Tenth Chaos Void in solitude.

"It's True Saint Wu Yuan! Keep your distance! Do not engage him in battle. Even the vortex of Chaos Fire couldn't harm him."

"He’s too powerful."

"Do not provoke him."

Whether solitary Full True Saints wandering alone or teams composed of dozens of True Saints, all gave Wu Yuan a wide berth when their paths crossed. Not one among them dared to test his might.

Such was the power of reputation.

Almost three thousand years passed in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

Never would I have imagined that after exploring the Tenth Chaos Void for nearly ten thousand years, I would amass treasures worth approximately three hundred million Xuanhuang merits without engaging in a single battle with other True Saints.

Wu Yuan mused as he soared through the silent void. The realization left him with a curious mixture of satisfaction and disappointment.

Three thousand years earlier, the pioneering phase had concluded, and great treasures had begun to emerge. After many years, Wu Yuan gradually accumulated numerous treasures.

He had discovered fragments of Chaos Treasures. He had unearthed massive veins of rare Chaos Orichalcum and collected countless rarities and artifacts.

And yet, remarkably, not a single soul had dared to challenge his claim to these treasures. Even on the rare occasions when he encountered beings ranked within the top hundred of the True Saint Rankings, they had avoided him like the plague.

I didn’t get to fight a single battle.

Wu Yuan reflected.

Instead, each encounter has only enhanced my reputation and added to the fear my name brings. Even within the Eldritch Court, many now mention me in the same breath as True Saint Dong Yi.

Regarding this, Wu Yuan treated it all calmly.

There's no need for haste.

He reminded himself.

Though more than ten thousand years have passed since the birth of this Chaos Void, not a single Chaos Jade Crystal has surfaced. There will surely come opportunities for me to test the limits of my power.

In previous formations of new Chaos Voids, Chaos Jade Crystals typically began to appear within ten thousand years of their creation. The Tenth Chaos Void seemed unusual in this regard, deviating from established patterns.

When the Chaos Jade Crystals finally emerge, I will undoubtedly encounter those truly top-ranking True Saints.

Wu Yuan contemplated. Throughout his nearly ten thousand years of exploration, apart from one chance meeting with True Saint Pu Yang of the Eldritch Court, he had yet to cross paths with any super powerhouses ranked among the top twenty of the True Saint Rankings.

This scarcity of encounters wasn't surprising. The Tenth Chaos Void was so incomprehensibly vast that even when great treasures revealed themselves, they would at most attract a gathering of perhaps a hundred True Saints. Thus, the top-ranking True Saints rarely crossed paths.

Even during those infrequent occasions when their paths did cross, most remained cautious and reluctant to engage in direct conflict, preferring to preserve their strength for greater prizes.