Chapter 1328: The Fall Of The Ancestral Saint (2)

"Fallen?"

"Ancestral Saint Eastmoon has truly fallen!" The Dao Zenithels stared at the scene before them, shock rippling through their hearts.

Even if resurrection remained possible, when a Full Dao Zenithel powerhouse fell, it created shockwaves across the cosmic sea. Such an event hadn't occurred in eons.

The last instance stretched back more than ten samsara cycles ago, when the Heavenly Imperator struck down the Dream Emperor in the Realm of Destruction.

And now, another Full Dao Zenithel had fallen, slain by the combined might of Dao Zenithel Wu Yuan and Dao Zenithel Ming Jian. Everyone recognized that Ming Jian had delivered the decisive blow. Without the psyche weapon strike with his Xuanhuang Dao Treasure, Ancestral Saint Eastmoon could have withstood the combined assault of Wu Yuan, Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, and the others indefinitely.

"Good!"

"Eastmoon has been killed."

"This battle has achieved its purpose." Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, Dao Zenithel Fu You, and the other Eldritch Progenitors revealed satisfied smiles. From the beginning, this confrontation had been designed to establish their faction’s dominance.

With this, we've successfully intimidated the various factions.

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu thought to herself.

Especially those Full Dao Zenithel powerhouses; they won't dare interfere in conflicts between our Eldritch Court and the Immortal Court.

The Heavenly Imperator has hidden in the Realm of Destruction for so long... Is the Original Sword truly his goal?

Under normal circumstances, Hou Tu would avoid antagonizing too many major powers. Yet she had encouraged Wu Yuan to go ahead with this battle. In fact, it was her idea. When the decisive conflict between the Eldritch and Immortal Courts finally erupted, the attitudes of other cosmic sea powers would prove crucial.

Recently, Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang had met with Great Emperor Yan Tuo, forging a secret agreement. But the decisions of other powers remained equally important.

Persuasion? No. Intimidation proved far more effective.

In the void, Wu Yuan's body refiner self collected all the treasures with a casual wave of his hand. The white-robed figure flew to his side. Darkness still gripped the endless void, punctuated only by bursts of self-created Dao radiance.

"Hou Tu, Wu Yuan." Dao Zenithel Wan Yu continued engaging Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, yet remained unperturbed. "Eastmoon is dead. This battle should end here today."

"You chose to surround and attack us, and now you want to end things here?" Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu's voice cut like ice. "We killed Eastmoon. We can kill all of you."

Her killing intent blazed.

"The Spacetime Dao Master's strength is indeed extraordinary," Dao Zenithel Wan Yu replied, shaking his head slightly. "In the future, even I would avoid him at all costs. However, such a devastating psyche weapon killing move must have consumed an enormous amount of energy.

"You've killed Eastmoon, but do you still possess the ability to kill other Dao Zenithels?" He turned toward the white-robed figure. "Daoist Ming Jian, what do you say?"

The white-robed figure maintained his cold expression, offering no response.

Wu Yuan's body refiner self frowned slightly. Others might miss it, but Dao Zenithel Wan Yu's methods were extraordinary. His ability to probe and deduce far exceeded normal Dao Zenithels.

"Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, I can no longer confront Full Dao Zenithel existences," Wu Yuan transmitted privately.

Hou Tu grasped the situation immediately.

"If you wish to withdraw, so be it," she said coldly. "Wan Yu, Bai Lian. The two of you can either leave first, abandoning Dong Huo and the others, or each surrender a Chaos Treasure as compensation."

The two Dao Zenithels exchanged glances. Surrendering a Chaos Treasure seemed acceptable to end the conflict.

As for leaving alone? Their pride wouldn't permit it. Having arrived together, abandoning their Immortal Court allies now would destroy their reputation among the cosmic sea factions. No Dao Zenithel would trust them for future alliances.

"Wu Yuan, we were in the wrong," Dao Zenithel Wan Yu said with a slight smile. "The future may still hold opportunities for cooperation."

He waved his hand, sending a streak of light across the void. Dao Zenithel Bai Lian followed suit, throwing out her own streak of light. Both Chaos Treasures landed before Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.

"Gong Gong, Zhu Rong, let them leave," Hou Tu transmitted.

She didn't demand that Imperial Majesty Dong Huo surrender treasures as well. He certainly wouldn't comply, and forcing the issue would only prolong the battle. That wasn't her goal.

"Yes!" The two Eldritch Progenitors immediately ceased their domain ultimate techniques. The water and fire that had engulfed the endless void quickly subsided.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Dao Zenithel Bai Lian transformed into a streak of light, escaping Dao Zenithel Fu You's reach. Freed from the Void of Flame and Tides, she returned to Wan Yu's side in an instant.

"Let's go," Dao Zenithel Wan Yu said. With a wave, the projection of the Eternal Register shimmered, enveloping over twenty Dao Zenithels before vanishing swiftly.

They disappeared beyond the senses of Wu Yuan, Hou Tu, and the others.

...

As Wan Yu's group departed, silence fell over the void near the Tenth Chaos Void's entrance.

The various Eldritch Court Dao Zenithels gathered.

"Everyone," the white-robed figure bowed slightly. "This battle is over. I shall take my leave." With a single step, he vanished without a trace.

"Such incredible speed. As expected of the Spacetime Dao Master," Dao Zenithel Fu You exclaimed admiringly. "Dao Zenithel Ming Jian's power is truly terrifying, though his personality remains aloof."

"That's simply his nature," Wu Yuan smiled faintly.

"Dao Zenithel Ming Jian's future status will rival Great Emperor Yan Tuo's, perhaps even reaching Goddess Nüwa's level," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu stated coolly. "His friendship with Saint Yuan benefits our Eldritch Court. None of you should offend him."

"Understood."

"Of course." Fu You, Zhu Rong, and the others nodded in agreement, having witnessed Ming Jian's frightening abilities firsthand.

They regarded Wu Yuan with barely concealed envy. In their eyes, having such a formidable ally was an extraordinary fortune.

"Saint Yuan, your name will resound throughout the cosmic sea after today," Dao Zenithel Fu You sighed. "Heh, I've long despised that old bastard Eastmoon. Who would have thought we'd actually kill him?

"He acted treacherously during previous contests over treasure in the cosmic sea," Eldritch Progenitor Zhu Rong added.

Wu Yuan smiled. Evidently, numerous Eldritch Court Dao Zenithels held grudges against Ancestral Saint Eastmoon.

"Saint Yuan," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu looked directly at him. "I've resolved your grievances with Wan Yu Tower and the Azure Lotus Megaverse. Do you have any objections?"

"None whatsoever," Wu Yuan shook his head.

"I know your personality. You've rarely suffered losses throughout your cultivation journey," Hou Tu smiled. "But you're no longer alone. You're a leader of the Eldritch Court now."

A leader of the Eldritch Court?

Wu Yuan pondered silently.

"Indeed. With Saint Yuan's tremendous strength, he's more than worthy of the title," Dao Zenithel Fu You grinned. "I certainly have no objections."

"In the cosmic sea, anyone reaching the Full Dao Zenithel level deserves the status of a leader," Eldritch Progenitor Zhu Rong explained. "Saint Yuan's power approaches Great Emperor Yan Tuo's. The title fits perfectly."

Having witnessed his abilities firsthand, they naturally acknowledged Wu Yuan's strength.

"To be a leader, one must have a leader's bearing," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu advised. "Establish your authority, but when dealing with other major cosmic sea powers, leave room for diplomacy since permanent annihilation isn't possible."

"Perhaps we Dao Zenithels have nothing to fear, but there are countless True Saints, Saints, and Perennials in our Eldritch Court. We must consider them too. If the Dao Zenithels of other powers deliberately avoid us while hunting our True Saints, we'd still face problems." She fixed her gaze on Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly, comprehending her meaning. Despite his strength, he couldn't act however he wished. He now shouldered greater responsibilities.

"I understand," he acknowledged. "I'll contact the Dao Zenithels of the Eastmoon Megaverse. When Ancestral Saint Eastmoon revives, we can reconcile without demanding further recompense if he's willing."

"Good," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled approvingly.

This had been her intention all along, and Wu Yuan's initiative pleased her.

"Don't worry about Eastmoon refusing reconciliation," she added. "He fears us more than we fear him.

"Of course, if he rejects peace when the time comes and insists on bitter conflict, we'll find ways to eradicate him completely." A cold glint flashed in her eyes.

While Hou Tu preferred to avoid making enemies, she wouldn't hesitate to take decisive action when necessary.

"Let's go," she said. "Back to the Eldritch Progenitor Hall."

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu led Wu Yuan, Fu You, and the others away.

...

Just two days after the explosive battle in the Tenth Chaos Void, Dao Zenithel Wan Yu recorded the events in the Eternal Register.

Only Dao Zenithels could access its contents.

Within hours, news of the battle spread throughout the cosmic sea, reaching hundreds of Dao Zenithels.

"Ancestral Saint Eastmoon has fallen?"

"True Saint Wu Yuan has become a Dao Zenithel? His power nearly matches Great Emperor Yan Tuo's."

"We must address him as Dao Zenithel Wu Yuan now."

"Ming Jian has become the Spacetime Dao Master, wielding a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure!"

"How long have those two been cultivating?" Throughout the cosmic sea, Dao Zenithels from various factions reacted with shock and disbelief.

Ancestral Saint Eastmoon had fallen!

Two leader-level powerhouses had risen, shaking the entire cosmic sea with a single battle. All Dao Zenithels now recognized that the two prodigies of the era—Wu Yuan and Ming Jian—had broken through to Dao Zenithel with astonishing speed after the battles in the Tenth Chaos Void.

They had instantly risen to stand among the most formidable Dao Zenithels.

"Both wield Xuanhuang Dao Treasures and are Dao Masters."

"Their strengths far surpass that of the other Dao Masters."

From this day forward, in the view of countless Dao Zenithels across the cosmic sea, Dao Zenithel Wu Yuan and Dao Zenithel Ming Jian truly stood shoulder to shoulder with Imperial Majesty Dong Huo, Dao Zenithel Fu You, and even Dao Zenithel Wan Yu and Great Emperor Yan Tuo.

Only Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu and the Heavenly Imperator, standing at the absolute pinnacle, could overpower them with certainty.

...

As news spread, shockwaves rippled through the Eldritch Court.

"Saint Yuan!"

"The fourth leader of our Eldritch Court, following Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang, Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, and Dao Zenithel Fu You."

"The great Saint Yuan."

Before Wu Yuan, Hou Tu, and the others had even returned, news of the battle and Wu Yuan's achievements blazed through the ranks of dozens of Dao Zenithels and thousands of True Saints.

A new leader-level powerhouse. An existence matching Great Emperor Yan Tuo!

"Wu Yuan broke through? And killed Ancestral Saint Eastmoon?" True Saint Dong Yi, True Saint Qi Guang, True Saint Tian Peng, and the other top True Saints of the Eldritch Court remained dazed by the news.

Not long ago, Wu Yuan had fought alongside them. How much time had passed? And now he stood at the cosmic sea's pinnacle?

Soon, all Perennial powerhouses within the Eldritch Court Voidrealm learned that a grand banquet would be held in a thousand years, to celebrate Saint Yuan’s advancement.

...

In the Ling Jiang Universe, merely two days after the battle concluded, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self had returned silently.

The news was actively spread by Wan Yu.

Wu Yuan noted, sensing changes in the Eternal Register.

The Eternal Rankings have been updated?

He smiled slightly. With a thought, he accessed the new rankings.