Chapter 1293: Psyche Dream Domain! Ownership Determined! (2)

The news of True Saint Yan Huo's breakthrough and acquisition of a Chaos Nucleus spread rapidly throughout the cosmic sea, causing a stir among the various major factions.

"True Saint Yan Huo has broken through?"

"Another powerhouse who has taken the fourth step of their self-created Dao."

"Impressive!"

"With Cloud Saint's death, we thought the Immortal Court would have no hope in this opening of the Tenth Chaos Void. Who would have imagined True Saint Yan Huo would break through?"

"He's quite bold, daring to compete despite Cloud Saint's fall."

Throughout the cosmic sea, numerous Dao Zenithels discussed this unexpected development: "With Yan Huo's breakthrough, no one can seize the Chaos Nucleus from him."

...

Within the Eldritch Progenitor Hall of the Voidrealm.

Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang's brow furrowed. "Wu Yuan's qi refiner self still hasn't completed the challenge of that void temple?"

"It’s understandable," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu replied with a soft sigh. "He’s alone after all.

"His qi refiner self may excel in Psyche Dream techniques, but these puppets possess remarkable resistance against soul attacks," Hou Tu continued. "Even Yan Huo, who has already broken through, would have found it nearly impossible to advance quickly if he were alone.

“Observe the battle footage closely. He initially combined forces with True Saints Meng Guan, Shen Yan, Mu Jing, and others. With ten formidable True Saints working in concert, they were already close to making it through.

"Then, Yan Huo experienced a sudden epiphany and underwent a breakthrough. His strength surged dramatically, allowing him to cross the channel. In essence, Shen Yan and the others bore the pressure, creating the opportunity that Yan Huo seized."

Di Jiang's expression darkened. "That may be so, but he still claimed a Chaos Nucleus. If this pattern continues, True Saint Yan Huo might single-handedly secure two or even three Chaos Nuclei."

"It won’t be that easy," Hou Tu countered. "Previously, Shen Yan and the others planned to seize the Chaos Nucleus first, then compete among themselves for its possession.

“Now that Yan Huo has broken through, powerful True Saints from rival factions will certainly withhold their assistance. At most, a few Immortal Court True Saints might aid him, but their limited strength will make it difficult for him to cross another void channel quickly.

"Wu Yuan still has a chance."

Di Jiang nodded slightly. Despite their immense power, they remained unable to enter the Tenth Chaos Void and could only analyze the battles from afar.

...

Within the five-colored realm, inside the void temple where True Saint Yan Huo had claimed the Chaos Nucleus.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Figures streaked through the air, retreating from the temple in a tidal wave of movement. At the far end of the chamber, the crystalline jade pedestal stood empty, its golden radiance extinguished.

The Chaos Nucleus was gone.

Damn it! Damn it!

True Saint Shen Yan gritted his teeth, rage contorting his features.

I was so close...Just a little more!

Not long before, recognizing their individual limitations, ten powerful True Saints ranked within the top thirty of the True Saint Rankings had formed an alliance. Among them, Shen Yan was one of the strongest. Once he activated his Divine Eye, his power placed him firmly in first place, surpassing even Meng Guan.

Confident in his position, Shen Yan had proposed the alliance himself. As he had predicted, the ten True Saints had fought their way through with tremendous difficulty, nearly reaching the end of the void channel.

Then, at a critical moment, True Saint Yan Huo experienced a breakthrough, snatched the Chaos Nucleus with lightning speed, and soared away before anyone could react.

Once again, I’ve paved the way for another.

Shen Yan seethed. During previous competitions for Chaos Jade Crystals, he had come tantalizingly close multiple times, only to miss by the narrowest of margins. Never did he imagine that history would repeat itself in the struggle for Chaos Nuclei.

"Shen Yan," called Meng Guan as he flew to the exit, "which void temple should we target next?"

"Naturally, the one with more competitors," Shen Yan replied, his voice low and controlled. "Challenging True Saint Yan Huo doesn't guarantee our death at least. Surely you don't suggest we face True Saint Ming Jian instead?"

With a burst of speed, Shen Yan erupted from the temple, plunging into the five-colored realm before darting toward another void temple. Hundreds of other True Saints made similar choices, surging forward.

Even with Yan Huo's breakthrough, the vast majority still refused to challenge Ming Jian.

Compete with Yan Huo?

A flicker of hesitation crossed Meng Guan's features.

No.

He decided silently.

I should assist my Little Junior Brother instead. Alone, he will struggle to cross the channel, but with my help, his chances improve significantly.

We can only gamble that Yan Huo won’t manage to seize a second Chaos Nucleus before my Little Junior Brother arrives.

Meng Guan reasoned.

Now that Yan Huo has reached the fourth step of the self-created Dao, few besides my Junior Brother's qi refiner self can hope to stand against him.

Whoosh!

Meng Guan changed course, flying in another direction. He wasn't alone in this decision—several powerful Eldritch Court True Saints, including Qi Guang and Tian Peng, made similar choices.

Their reasoning was the same:

"We must prevent Yan Huo from claiming another Chaos Nucleus."

"Let's support Ming Jian."

"Ming Jian maintains good relations with our Eldritch Court. If we help him succeed, he can block Yan Huo."

To these Eldritch Court powerhouses, it was preferable that someone from another faction seize the remaining Chaos Nuclei than allow Yan Huo to claim them.

The speed difference between these top-ranking True Saints was minimal.

Four days later, Meng Guan, Qi Guang, Tian Peng, and three other True Saints arrived in succession at the void temple Wu Yuan's mana body was currently challenging. The moment they entered, they witnessed Wu Yuan single-handedly engaging three hundred puppets, already at a slight advantage.

"How is this possible?"

"Such a powerful domain and sword art.”

"How did Ming Jian's strength grow so formidable? His physical prowess must nearly rival Luan Hai's."

Meng Guan, Qi Guang and Tian Peng all looked on in astonishment

On the way here, they had discussed among themselves. All believed that Ming Jian would take a long time to cross the channel given his lack of proficiency in physical attacks.

"Even without our assistance, Ming Jian would likely get through these puppets in a few more days," True Saint Tian Peng observed with amazement.

"Indeed," True Saint Meng Guan nodded, eyes gleaming. "My little junior brother is far stronger than this senior brother of his."

The Eldritch Court powerhouses exchanged glances. All knew that Ming Jian must have succeeded the previous Dao Master to become the new Spacetime Dao Master. Meng Guan, also a successor of the previous Spacetime Dao Master, shared a brotherhood with him through their lineage.

"Let's move," Meng Guan said. "We must hurry, or Yan Huo will claim the final Chaos Nucleus."

“Let’s go!”

The six True Saints transformed into streaks of light, plunging into the void channel where Wu Yuan battled and quickly joining the fray.

"Little Junior Brother, we've come to help you!" Meng Guan's voice thundered across the battlefield. He wielded a battle saber, sending blade rays slicing through the air, launching frenzied attacks against the surrounding puppets.

The chamber shook with explosive force as Qi Guang, Tian Peng, and the others unleashed their powers.

"Senior Brother Meng Guan?" Wu Yuan's mana body recognized the newcomers instantly, quickly communicating with them and understanding the purpose of their arrival.

“Break!” Wu Yuan redoubled his assault, his Psyche Dream Domain exerting maximum power while his golden lotus domain grew increasingly terrifying, repeatedly blasting puppets aside.

Already on the brink of breaking through the puppets’ obstruction, Wu Yuan's progress accelerated dramatically with the support of six Full True Saint powerhouses. Meng Guan alone occupied more than a dozen puppets, becoming the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

In less than an hour, Wu Yuan’s sword array blasted away another cluster of puppets. He soared upward, bursting free of the void channel and flying directly to the golden Chaos Nucleus.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Whoosh!

Reaching out, he grasped it and stored it within his grotto-heaven artifact.

Envy flickered in the eyes of Qi Guang, Tian Peng, and the others as they followed closely behind. After fighting so desperately, the prize they coveted remained beyond their grasp.

"Esteemed members of the Eldritch Court," Wu Yuan's mana body turned to them, "I thank you for your assistance. Should I obtain a second Chaos Nucleus, I will ensure one reaches Wu Yuan, who will then pass it to the Eldritch Court."

With those words, Wu Yuan transformed into a stream of light, flying directly toward the temple exit with Meng Guan hurrying after him.

"Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang has sent a message," Qi Guang informed the others. "As long as Ming Jian ultimately obstructs Yan Huo, our actions will be considered a meritorious contribution to the faction."

The Eldritch Court True Saints collectively sighed with relief; the fear that their efforts would be in vain was temporarily allayed.

"Everything now depends on Ming Jian," Qi Guang murmured. "Let's hope he’s able to stop Yan Huo."

"We should hurry there as well," Tian Peng suggested. "During their confrontation, we may find our own opportunities."

The group immediately launched into the air, racing to the next temple.

...

"True Saint Ming Jian has emerged from the void temple!"

"Meng Guan and the others are following behind; they must have assisted him."

"Ming Jian has claimed the Chaos Nucleus."

The moment Wu Yuan's mana body exited the temple, observers across vast stretches of spacetime noted his success. Immediately, they understood that the second Chaos Nucleus now had an owner.

The first belonged to Yan Huo.

The second to Ming Jian.

Only one remained unclaimed.

"Ming Jian is approaching. He’s coming to compete for the final Chaos Nucleus as well."

...

Within the last void temple, over a thousand True Saints had gathered. Across thirty-six void channels, countless cultivators engaged in frenzied battles with the puppet guardians. However, most could only wait at the temple entrance, forced to watch helplessly as others fought, the limited channels accommodating only a finite number of combatants.

"There's no chance to compete."

"We can only wait and watch."

"Once the Chaos Nucleus is claimed, we can only try to snatch it." Hundreds of True Saints fixed their attention on the channels.

Two channels drew particular attention:

In one, True Saint Shen Yan, Pu Yang, and eight other powerhouses ranked within the top thirty joined forces. Individually, none matched Yan Huo's strength, but united, they presented a formidable front.

In the other, True Saint Yan Huo led numerous Immortal Court True Saints. Though his allies were generally weaker than Shen Yan's group, Yan Huo's overwhelming personal power compensated for it.

"Go! Go! Go!" Yan Huo's battle cry echoed as he manifested nine arms, each wielding a Blazebringer Staff. Like nine celestial pillars, they smashed puppet after puppet aside. No puppet could withstand a single blow, yet their sheer numbers and undying bodies allowed them to reform and charge again and again, entangling Yan Huo.

In terms of their speed of advancement, the Immortal Court forces led by Yan Huo maintained a subtle advantage. They had forced all three hundred puppets to awaken in a remarkably short time and would cross the channel in a few days at most.

Suddenly, Yan Huo's heart sank as he sensed a powerful, ethereal presence materializing within the temple.

Even without turning, he knew that True Saint Ming Jian had arrived.