Chapter 741: Master, It's Truly Not Enough (2)

A ninth-stage Earth Eldritch with a second-degree immortal root isn't much stronger than me in terms of ether power.

Wu Yuan mused silently.

Although he was only at the second-stage Earth Eldritch phase, his Apotheosis root far surpassed a first-degree immortal root, let alone a second-degree one.

There’s no need to use the Saint Prohibition Art or ether arts, nor summon Little Black.

Wu Yuan thought as he flipped his palm. A low-grade celestial artifact saber materialized in his grasp.

At the same cultivation phase, body refiners could instantly overwhelm qi refiners in burst power, relying on their lifebound eldritch beasts and grand ether arts.

After upgrading to an Apotheosis root, Wu Yuan's lifebound Teng Snake had also undergone a transformation, growing even more terrifying.

Seeing Wu Yuan standing in place, only drawing a celestial saber, Astral Monarch Hou Qu’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

No ether art? What is Little Junior Brother thinking? He is already at an absolute disadvantage in terms of ether cultivation level, is he just giving up?

Jiang Huan was equally puzzled.

They couldn't understand what Wu Yuan was thinking.

Boom!

Separated by just over a hundred thousand li, it took less than a second for Chang Hong to cross the distance at full speed – so fast that space itself seemed to tremble.

Countless earthy-yellow lights suddenly appeared around him, forming his Celestial Body Dao Field. The Celestial Body Dao Field instantly enveloped everything in an area of tens of thousands of li, including Wu Yuan.

His eyes turned cold: "Little Junior Brother, you disappoint me. Even in a battle destined for failure, you should give it your all.

I won't hold back."

Whoosh!

He rapidly approached Wu Yuan, then swung his nine swords simultaneously. The nine divine swords radiated intense killing intent, aiming right at Wu Yuan.

Chang Hong intended to defeat Wu Yuan in one move. He felt quite disappointed, but his nature dictated that he wouldn't hold back. Even if Wu Yuan couldn't block a single one of his attacks, he wouldn't show mercy.

But in the next instant, Chang Hong's pupils contracted, a flash of disbelief crossing them.

What?

A dazzling azure blade ray suddenly lit up the battle space!

It was like a supernova, or an eternally verdant, ancient mountain range. It seemed to contain the vastness of heaven and earth, imbued with infinite Dao profundities expressing an invincible saber technique.

This Dao fluctuation?

Astral Monarch Hou Qu was shocked.

What? Little Junior Brother?

Jiang Huan was astonished.

On one side was a full-force attack with nine swords, seemingly overwhelming at first glance, like an endless world of swords bearing down. On the other, just a simple swing of an ancient saber.

The seemingly simple saber strike made Chang Hong's heart tremble, and he felt a dense aura of death enshrouding him.

The two forces clashed. Chang Hong's full-powered ultimate technique was as fragile as a withered branch before this single blade ray–it was crushed in an instant.

Bang~

The power of the blade ray forcefully knocked the nine divine swords from Chang Hong's hands. The piercing blade ray then swept towards him, sending him flying backwards.

The horrific shockwave, though greatly weakened by his battle armor and defensive ether arts, still permeated into his body.

Boom!

Like a giant boulder crumbling under immense pressure, Chang Hong's body violently burst apart, nearly disintegrating completely.

In one move, the outcome was decided, the victor determined. Clearly, they were not on the same level.

The entire battle space seemed to fall silent, with only the two observers, Astral Monarch Hou Qu and Jiang Huan, staring at Wu Yuan with their mouths agape!

Even in their wildest imagination, they could never have anticipated this. If Wu Yuan had won with great difficulty, they would have been surprised but not found it too outrageous. After all, history had seen many peerless geniuses in the macrocosm who attained Archimmortal-level Dao comprehension after only a few hundred years of cultivation.

With just one saber strike, Wu Yuan defeated Chang Hong, dealing a crushing victory. And he hadn't even gone all out, not even employing ether arts.

If he had used his full power, he probably could have killed Chang Hong with that single strike. What level of strength was this?

"Impressive!" Astral Monarch Hou Qu revealed a smile, marveling, "Our eldritch world has finally produced a monstrous prodigy no worse than Ming Jian."

"This saber technique must be at the ninth-stage Archimmortal level. Little Junior Brother is extraordinary," Jiang Huan was equally amazed.

Both of them had keen insight, roughly judging the profoundness of the saber technique Wu Yuan had just displayed.

...

Whoosh~

Chang Hong's shattered body quickly regenerated, though his vital aura had diminished by over seventy percent.

It could be said that if Wu Yuan had unleashed his ether arts and lifebound eldritch beast earlier, he likely could have slain Chang Hong with that single saber strike.

This? How is this possible!

Chang Hong stared at Wu Yuan in disbelief.

He had gone all out, yet was still defeated in a single saber strike.

Recalling his previous words and actions, Chang Hong's face alternated between shades of red and white, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.

He understood now that Wu Yuan's apparent nonchalance was indeed due to him not taking this battle seriously. But it wasn’t because he was weak, but rather because he was too strong. Strong enough to disregard Chang Hong.

"Senior Brother Chang Hong, good match," Wu Yuan bowed slightly with a smile, showing no sign of mockery, as if it had just been a normal sparring match.

In Wu Yuan's eyes, this battle was indeed just a spar.

"Little Junior Brother...you’re truly impressive." Chang Hong's gaze was complex as he fell silent for a second before sighing, "I've lost. I'm far inferior to you."

Though disappointed, his pride wouldn't allow him to deny his defeat. A loss was a loss.

Wu Yuan's saber technique was no trick; it simply overwhelmed him with absolute power! He accepted his defeat wholeheartedly.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Astral Monarch Hou Qu and Jiang Huan flew over.

Wu Yuan and Chang Hong both looked their way.

"Junior Brother Chang Hong, victory and defeat are common in battle. Little Junior Brother has heaven-shaking talent. It isn’t just you, even I find it inconceivable," Jiang Huan smiled. "At Little Junior Brother's rate of cultivation, he'll likely surpass me within ten thousand years."

"Surpass you within ten thousand years, Senior Brother?" Chang Hong was even more shocked upon hearing this: "But Senior Brother, you've fully comprehended the Celestial Body Dao and are now studying the Law of Life!"

"Indeed." Jiang Huan nodded, his gaze falling on Wu Yuan: "Little Junior Brother, if I'm not mistaken, your current Dao comprehension is likely just one step away from the Astral Monarch level."

"Senior Brother has keen perception," Wu Yuan nodded.

The saber technique he had displayed was indeed at the ninth-stage Archimmortal level. The gap between the ninth-stage Archimmortal to the Astral Monarch level seemed like just one step. But in reality, it was like the chasm between heaven and earth.

Among tens of thousands of Astral Lords, it was rare for even one to become an Astral Monarch. One could imagine how difficult it was to take that single step.

Wu Yuan didn't want to appear too outrageous, as there was no real need. The current situation was already quite shocking. If he truly revealed Astral Monarch-level Dao comprehension, it would be too monstrous.

"Haha, that was truly an exhilarating battle. The Sovereign specifically chose you, Chang Hong, to face your junior brother. It seems the Sovereign was already aware of Wu Yuan's strength," Astral Monarch Hou Qu said with a smile.

"Hmm...I originally thought that the Sovereign wanted to temper Wu Yuan. But it seems the Sovereign's intention was to refine your character after all," Astral Monarch Hou Qu said, looking at Chang Hong.

"Yes, I've disappointed Master," Chang Hong nodded calmly. After this crushing defeat, he had become much more clear-headed.

"Wu Yuan," Astral Monarch Hou Qu turned to Wu Yuan. "You're truly a monstrous prodigy. I thought Jiang Huan's talent was already impressive, but you're ten or even a hundred times more monstrous. Your name will go down in the history of the macrocosm.

Even compared to Ming Jian from the Eternal Sun Immortal World, you might surpass him by a notch," Astral Monarch Hou Qu said sincerely.

"Ming Jian?" Wu Yuan was slightly startled.

Chang Hong was equally stunned.

"It seems none of you know, but Ming Jian of the Eternal Sun Immortal World is said to be cultivating in a distant cultivation sanctuary, and has mastered both Space and Time. He's a true monstrous prodigy," Jiang Huan laughed. "But from what we've seen today, our Little Junior Brother is far more formidable."

"My modest talents are nothing special," Wu Yuan shook his head. "In the endless river of space and time, there are many far stronger than me."

"Haha, endless is the long river, infinite are the years. Countless geniuses have been born throughout history," Astral Monarch Hou Qu chuckled. "But at the very least, you could be called the greatest prodigy in the entire history of the eldritch world."

Wu Yuan shook his head with a wry smile, no longer arguing the point.

Jiang Huan listened with a faint smile, seemingly unconcerned with such accolades. Chang Hong, however, stared blankly into space, lost in thought.

"Alright, by order of the Sovereign, news of this battle must be kept secret," Astral Monarch Hou Qu said. "Chang Hong, Jiang Huan, you must not speak of this to others. If word gets out, I fear the Voltari Temple will focus all their efforts on Wu Yuan."

"Understood," Jiang Huan replied solemnly.

"Yes," Chang Hong also responded gravely. Though he cared about fame and glory, he naturally knew what was important here.

"Astral Monarch, Chang Hong and I will take our leave now," Jiang Huan said with a smile. "You can give any further instructions to Little Junior Brother in private."

Astral Monarch Hou Qu nodded.

"Little Junior Brother, with your level of Dao comprehension, focus on quickly reaching the ninth-stage Earth Eldritch phase, then break through to the High Eldritch phase. When that time comes, we martial brothers must have a proper duel," Jiang Huan said with a grin.

"I look forward to crossing swords with Senior Brother as well," Wu Yuan replied with a smile. "Safe travels to you both."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Jiang Huan and Chang Hong swiftly departed.

...

Walking out of the battle space, they made their way down the corridors of the Eldritch Battle Platform.

"Senior Brother, I've disappointed you," Chang Hong couldn't help saying.

"Disappointed? What is there to be disappointed about? You've already reached the second-level Dao Field stage of comprehension. Your cultivation speed is very fast," Jiang Huan said with a faint smile.

"Given Little Junior Brother's strength, it's only natural that you lost. In tens of thousands of years, even I won't be a match for him."

Chang Hong fell silent.