Chapter 1338: Guidance To A Xuanhuang Dao Treasure (2)

"This?" The Heavenly Domain Emissary looked at him with considerable shock. "Wu Yuan? You?"

"I failed," Wu Yuan admitted frankly.

"Failure is normal," the Heavenly Domain Emissary replied. "None of the previous Ancestral Pagoda Archons succeeded... But how did your consciousness get injured?"

"The previous Ancestral Pagoda Archons weren't injured?" Wu Yuan's surprise was evident.

"No." The Heavenly Domain Emissary shook his head. "When they first came to the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime and attempted to control it, they all failed quickly without getting hurt.

"You're the first," he added.

Wu Yuan fell into deep contemplation. Initially, when his consciousness sensed the Primordial Rules, nothing changed. It wasn't until he perceived the Ancestral Pagoda's existence and attempted to pry it that he suffered backlash, with that portion of his consciousness being annihilated by Void's power.

Could it be that when Goddess Nüwa, Dao Zenithel Wan Yu, Mountain Daoist, and Daoist Tian Xu first attempted to control it, they couldn't even sense the Ancestral Pagoda?

Wu Yuan thought.

If they couldn't sense it, they probably wouldn't have realized the truth of the mysterious realm they had entered.

However, given Goddess Nüwa's strength in her later years, she should have been able to sense it, but certainly not on her first attempt.

Wu Yuan understood that his apparent uniqueness was closely tied to his self-created Dao.

No matter how strong other Dao Zenithels are, the self-created Daos they've pioneered still fall short of the true Primordium.

His gaze settled on the Ancestral Pagoda that seemed to exist beyond endless spacetime.

But my Dao, weaving Great Destruction and Great Creation, has gradually incorporated many Great Daos. This is already the most powerful self-created Dao!

It's also the most “correct” path, the one most similar to the Primordium. Thus, my consciousness was naturally able to enter the Ancestral Pagoda.

There were two reasons for his ultimate failure. First, his self-created Dao was still too weak, having only been refined to the third step, not yet reaching the Grand Supreme level. Second, no matter how perfect the self-created Dao of his body refiner self was, it still only encompassed the aspect of Reality and didn't involve the rules of Void.

If the consciousness of my qi refiner self could also enter the essence of the Primordial Rules, perhaps I could successfully control it.

The thought surfaced briefly in Wu Yuan's mind, but he dismissed it quickly. Although his two true selves shared memories, their vital essences remained independent of each other. Moreover, the foundations of their self-created Daos differed vastly.

One step at a time.

He reminded himself.

Being able to sense it means there's hope.

A mysterious smile crossed his face.

At least, I've seen the path to the Grand Supreme stage.

Throughout his cultivation journey—from Frostheaven Peak to the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime, witnessing numerous Dao Zenithel and Grand Supreme ultimate techniques, especially after Great Leader Hong's explanation of the four paths to apex strength—Wu Yuan had gained crucial insights. And the moment his consciousness briefly permeated every part of the Primordial Rules, everything was finally brought into focus.

My self-created Dao closely resembles the Perfect Dao that Lord Hong mentioned.

Wu Yuan understood completely.

Although I didn't start on the truest path like the founder of Frostheaven Peak, I can still gradually approach it.

I can fully incorporate the ten Great Daos into my self-created Dao one by one, completely perfecting it. The day I fully integrate them into my self-created Dao's radiance...that should mark that I’ve taken the fourth step.

By then, he would surely become a Grand Supreme. And with that strength, he might successfully control the Ancestral Pagoda.

...

Time flowed like water. Wu Yuan's body refiner self, with its injured consciousness, didn't rush to leave. He sat in lotus position in the void, meditating quietly. In the blink of an eye, over three million years passed. Only then did Wu Yuan's body refiner self fully recover.

He bid farewell to the Heavenly Domain Emissary.

"Leaving already?" The Heavenly Domain Emissary smiled.

Wu Yuan nodded. "Indeed. My strength is still insufficient to control the Ancestral Pagoda. When I deem myself powerful enough, I will naturally return to see you, Senior."

"Haha, there’s no need to come back here," the Heavenly Domain Emissary replied with a faint smile.

"Oh?" Wu Yuan was taken aback.

"Other Ancestral Pagoda Archons, like Dao Zenithel Wan Yu, must come here each time because it's very difficult for Dao Zenithels to break through constraints of the Nine Megaverses Spacetime, which is under the suppression of Primordial Rules," he explained. "That's also why the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime exists within the Realm of Darkness.

“Here, the Ancestral Pagoda Archons can make their attempts with far greater ease. However, according to what you've said, you've already sensed the Ancestral Pagoda's true form, and your consciousness can even enter it. This indicates that you're already powerful enough. With the Ancestral Pagoda's imprint, even if you return to the Nine Megaverses Spacetime, your consciousness can easily reach the essence space of the Primordial Rules."

Wu Yuan suddenly understood. This meant he wouldn't need to return to the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime. Since he could perceive the Ancestral Pagoda from any location, he could make his attempts to control the Ancestral Pagoda from anywhere.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior," Wu Yuan said.

"It's not really a reminder. Once you return to the Nine Megaverses Spacetime, you would have naturally found out," the Heavenly Domain Emissary replied. "Just know that if you fail, your consciousness will be damaged. Unless you've made significant progress, don't attempt it lightly."

"Understood." Wu Yuan nodded and bowed. "This junior shall take his leave."

He transformed into a streak of light that shot back into the layers of the nebula. The nebula guardians attempted to attack him, but how could they stop him? In the end, Wu Yuan completely vanished from the Heavenly Domain Emissary's senses.

To think he sensed the Ancestral Pagoda right away.

The Heavenly Domain Emissary sighed inwardly.

Back then, even Nüwa couldn't accomplish this. I hope this Wu Yuan will succeed.

He eagerly anticipated the moment someone finally controlled the Ancestral Pagoda.

...

"Master?" Dao Zenithel Tian Chan, who had waited outside the nebula for millions of years, suddenly saw the rings of the nebula churn violently. A streak of black light cut through the void, arriving before him.

"Tian Chan, I’ve kept you waiting," Wu Yuan said with a smile.

"Just a few million years," Dao Zenithel Tian Chan shook his head dismissively. How long had he lived for? A few million years was nothing.

"Master, were you successful?" he asked hopefully.

"I failed," Wu Yuan said, his smile undimmed.

"Failure is normal. That Ancestral Pagoda is the First Supreme Divine Object. How could it be easily controlled?" Tian Chan nodded reassuringly. "With Master's talent and strength, you'll surely succeed in future attempts."

"I hope your words prove true," Wu Yuan smiled. "Will you continue waiting here, or return to the Nine Megaverses with me?"

"Return! Let's return!" Dao Zenithel Tian Chan said eagerly. "There's no use in staying here."

"Very well," Wu Yuan nodded. "Don't resist. I'll bring you into my grotto-heaven artifact, then we'll head back."

With a wave of his hand, Wu Yuan drew Dao Zenithel Tian Chan into the grotto-heaven artifact, which also concealed his mana body and ether body. His mana body and ether body flew out in succession, while his body refiner self remained in the grotto-heaven. This way, even if they encountered great danger, his body refiner self would have enough time to react.

The Realm of Darkness?

Wu Yuan's gaze grew hazy.

Fortunately I didn't venture too deep. I shouldn't get completely lost.

Now, let's head directly to the Realm of Destruction to obtain the next Xuanhuang Dao Treasure.

His mana body and ether body transformed into two streaks of light, plunging headlong into that eternal darkness.

...

The Blood Dream Voidrealm enveloped the endless cosmic sea. In that special plane called the Chang Feng World, a black-robed figure suddenly appeared. Not far away, an elderly man in white robes sat leisurely.

"Senior Tian Xu," Wu Yuan bowed respectfully.

"Oh? After so long, you've finally come," Daoist Tian Xu smiled as he looked at Wu Yuan. Suddenly his eyes lit up. "Wu Yuan, you've made great progress!"

Just as a person's demeanor changed with experience, cultivators were the same. Wu Yuan had been tempered by the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime over billions of years, and his aura had transformed.

If the past Wu Yuan had a weighty presence but still faintly exuded dominance, like a war saber sheathed but ready to be drawn, then the current Wu Yuan was even more reserved, no longer resembling a blade at all. He was more like a deep, unfathomable pool of water.

"I gained some insights in the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime," Wu Yuan said calmly.

"Oh? You've already been there?" Daoist Tian Xu smiled. "How did it go?"

"I failed," Wu Yuan admitted simply.

"Failure is normal. You're only a Dao Zenithel. If you succeeded now, it would be too inconceivable," Daoist Tian Xu sighed. "Even Nüwa failed despite probably having reached the fifth step."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

"I just didn't expect that the third Ancestral Pagoda Archon would be Wan Yu," Daoist Tian Xu smiled. "I originally thought it was Yan Tuo...but thinking about it, it makes sense. Without the Ancestral Pagoda's guidance, he probably couldn't have obtained the Eternal Register.

"Now that you've left the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime, are you going to seek a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure?" Daoist Tian Xu asked, studying Wu Yuan's face. As a former Ancestral Pagoda Archon, Daoist Tian Xu naturally knew many secrets of the Ancestral Pagoda Archons.

"Senior is perceptive," Wu Yuan smiled. "I'm currently heading to the Realm of Destruction with a Dao Zenithel follower. According to the guidance of the Ancestral Pagoda, that Xuanhuang Dao Treasure should be within the Realm of Destruction."

Indeed, the previous speculations of the Blood Emperor and Dream Emperor weren't wrong. Even if one failed to control the Ancestral Pagoda, becoming an Ancestral Pagoda Archon would still grant the knowledge of a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure’s location. However, Wu Yuan wasn't certain if the Original Sword Archons and Heavenly Cauldron Archons would receive similar guidance.

“It's in the Realm of Destruction? Is it an offensive Xuanhuang Dao Treasure?" Daoist Tian Xu showed a rare trace of gravity.

"It should be. But as to what specific Xuanhuang Dao Treasure it is, we'll only know once we get there," Wu Yuan replied.

"Mm! With your strength and the guidance of the Ancestral Pagoda, obtaining the Xuanhuang Dao Treasure shouldn't be a problem," Daoist Tian Xu nodded. "But you should still be careful.

"The Heavenly Imperator is in the Realm of Destruction," he added, his eyes fixed on Wu Yuan. "He should be an Original Sword Archon."

"The Heavenly Imperator is there?" Wu Yuan was slightly surprised. This was information he hadn't known before.

"You're not surprised he's the Original Sword Archon," Daoist Tian Xu smiled knowingly. "It seems you've obtained some information as well."

Wu Yuan couldn't help but smile. He had already learned this secret from the Blood Emperor and Dream Emperor, but he had promised them not to reveal anything about the Original Sword. Thus, he felt that it wasn’t appropriate to give Daoist Tian Xu an explanation.

"Don't be careless," Daoist Tian Xu warned. "The Heavenly Imperator has been staying in the Realm of Destruction for a very long time. If you intrude and he notices, you may end up fighting. Your vitality is strong, but don't underestimate him."

"His strength is far beyond what you can imagine," he added solemnly.

Wu Yuan felt inwardly shocked. It wasn't that he looked down on the Heavenly Imperator, but with the Creation Origin Armor, there shouldn't be any Dao Zenithel capable of killing him. He had witnessed Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu in action. She was indeed terrifying, but still couldn't kill him. Could it be that the Heavenly Imperator was far stronger than Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu?

"That place is the Realm of Destruction," Daoist Tian Xu shook his head. "Anyway, don't be careless."

"Thank you for the warning, Senior," Wu Yuan nodded.

...

Less than a month after leaving the Ancestral Pagoda Spacetime, Wu Yuan had reached the Realm of Destruction. He hadn't notified the Blood Emperor or Dream Emperor. After all, he was only planning to obtain a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure on this trip, not attempting to become an Original Sword Archon.

The Realm of Destruction?

Wu Yuan stood in the void, gazing into the endless dim expanse. That massive storm of black fog, which obscured nearly half the visible void, seemed like the source of destruction itself.