Greenridge Macrocosm, Bei You Realm.

In an ancient, austere temple, Sovereign Bei You sat in lotus position, deep in meditation.

Hm?

Sovereign Bei You was momentarily startled. With a thought, countless motes of light converged before him, coalescing into a hazy figure shrouded in dark mist. Though merely a projected incarnation, it exuded an aura of ineffable nobility.

"Bei You, we meet again," the shadowy figure smiled. His voice carried a note of joy.

"Overlord Xin Ya." Sovereign Bei You rose and bowed slightly.

"Are you aware of Ming Jian’s situation?" Overlord Xin Ya gazed at Sovereign Bei You.

"I am," Sovereign Bei You nodded.

The news had spread like wildfire in recent days. Though he resided in the Greenridge Macrocosm, Sovereign Bei You kept a close eye on developments in the Spacetime Dao Realm.

Thus, he had long since learned of Ming Jian's exploits—how he had single-handedly unleashed the might of an Astral Monarch and slaughtered hundreds of Astral Lords.

Upon receiving this news, Sovereign Bei You had been utterly astonished. Yet, in the presence of Overlord Xin Ya, Sovereign Bei You was reluctant to reveal his amazement, so he maintained a calm demeanor.

"What are your thoughts?" Overlord Xin Ya asked with a smile.

"Ordinary geniuses tend to progress slower as time goes on, especially after their Dao comprehension reaches the Astral Monarch level. Even the most exceptional talents rarely reach the seventh-level Dao Field stage or higher within three hundred thousand years," Sovereign Bei You said.

"But Ming Jian is the opposite—he's the type with limitless potential. The further he goes, the more dazzling he becomes.

When he first embarked on the path of immortality, he was merely considered a genius at the immortal continent level, hardly worth an Astral Lord's notice.

Later, upon entering the Amethyst Cradle phase, he revealed the potential of a genius at the immortal nation level.

Subsequently, after cultivating under my guidance for several centuries, he could be considered top-tier within a macrocosm, if not beyond.

Upon entering the Spacetime Dao Realm, he underwent a transformation, his power and potential skyrocketing once more.

Even now, he continues to advance without the slightest hint of slowing down. He's truly an inconceivable genius." Sovereign Bei You continued, "At present, in terms of potential alone, he should rank among the top three in divine court headquarters in this samsara cycle of heaven and earth."

Sovereign Bei You offered some modest praise for Wu Yuan.

"Top three? Haha, Bei You, you're still trying to downplay it," Overlord Xin Ya laughed. "First! What Ming Jian has demonstrated ranks him as the undisputed first!

We eight Overlords have discussed this and unanimously agree that there's a 99% chance he'll become an Overlord in the future."

Sovereign Bei You was inwardly shocked.

A 99% chance? Such a statement meant that they were absolutely certain, but given the infinite possibilities in the workings of heaven and earth, they refrained from speaking in absolutes. ᚱ𝘈ɴŎ₿Ěs

Moreover, Sovereign Bei You had taken note of Overlord Xin Ya's words – the eight Overlords had conferred?

The Taiyuan Divine Court had stood through many samsara cycles of heaven and earth, and its true leader was a supreme existence.

However, supreme existences and those below them existed on entirely different dimensions.

Under normal circumstances, unless it concerned the rise or fall of the divine court headquarters, supreme existences did not interfere in internal affairs.

Even the Sovereigns of the divine court headquarters only met the supreme existence once upon becoming Sovereigns.

As for the rest? Even catching a glimpse of the supreme existence was difficult!

Only the Overlords, just one step from the level of supreme existence, could meet them occasionally.

This step was an almost insurmountable chasm, but there remained a faint glimmer of hope for a breakthrough. Because of that, the supreme existence was still willing to pay them some attention.

At the very least, it wasn't difficult for Overlords to communicate with the supreme existence if they wished.

And in the divine court headquarters, matters great and small were actually decided by the council of Overlords.

"Thank you for your praise, Overlord." Sovereign Bei You said, "However, while Ming Jian's talent is extraordinary, he must still endure numerous trials before there's hope of becoming an Overlord. It's premature to discuss such matters now."

"Not necessarily," Overlord Xin Ya replied. "Bei You, I've come to inform you that the divine court headquarters has decided to officially recruit Ming Jian."

“Officially recruit?" Sovereign Bei You's heart thumped, though his expression remained impassive. "But he's still on the Spacetime Island."

"We can wait until he emerges from the Spacetime Island. Regardless of whether he obtains the Dao Master's inheritance, with his abilities, accumulating forty thousand spacetime points over ten thousand years shouldn't be difficult," Overlord Xin Ya said.

Overlord Xin Ya was well-versed in the workings of the Spacetime Island.

"Then, he'll come to the divine court headquarters, spend some time preparing, and then participate in the Megaverse Crossroads," Overlord Xin Ya continued. "The Megaverse Crossroads should open within twenty thousand years."

"Twenty thousand years? So soon?" Sovereign Bei You was surprised. He knew the Megaverse Crossroads would open, but hadn't expected it to be so soon.

In reality, the 5.5 billion years between each opening of the Megaverse Crossroads wasn't an exact figure; it could be shorter or longer.

"This is the approximate period divined by the True Saint. It will only be earlier, not later," Overlord Xin Ya explained. "Ming Jian excels in the Dao of Spacetime. Becoming the successor of the Spacetime Dao Master would be ideal, allowing him to fully unleash his potential. The Spacetime Dao Master is uninvolved in politics, so it won't affect Ming Jian's promotion to the core of our Taiyuan Divine Court."

This was a reason why various major factions were willing to send their disciples to the Spacetime Dao Master, who imparted his teachings to all.

"Overlord, it's not that I'm unwilling," Sovereign Bei You shook his head. "It's just that throughout his cultivation, Ming Jian has never entered the core of the divine court headquarters, nor has he formed much karmic..."

"Bei You!" Overlord Xin Ya suddenly interrupted him. His voice was gentle, yet brook no argument: "This time, it's not a discussion, but an order!

This is the consensus of all Overlords."

Sovereign Bei You's heart sank. He understood that Wu Yuan had displayed talent and potential so extraordinary that it had caught the attention of the entire upper echelons of the divine court headquarters, who would stop at nothing to recruit him. Otherwise, Overlord Xin Ya would not usually adopt such an attitude.

"Overlord, it's not that I'm unwilling," Sovereign Bei You said slowly. "It's just that Ming Jian is... special.

What I'm about to say cannot be shared with anyone else, Overlord. First, you must swear a Great Dao oath that you will not reveal even a word of this."

"A Great Dao oath?" It was Overlord Xin Ya's turn to be taken aback.

At his level, so close to fully comprehending a Great Dao, he would never swear such oaths lightly. However, seeing Sovereign Bei You's solemn demeanor, Overlord Xin Ya pondered briefly.

In the end, he chose to swear the Great Dao oath, believing that Sovereign Bei You wouldn't deceive him.

"Overlord, this identity of Ming Jian is merely his qi refiner self," Sovereign Bei You said slowly. "He also has a body refiner self... and the potential and power of his body refiner self are no less than his qi refiner self, perhaps even greater!"

"Two true selves? Ming Jian is just his qi refiner self?" Overlord Xin Ya was shocked, almost unable to believe his ears.

It was common knowledge that body refiners with exceptionally powerful Yuan Souls and bodies could create a qi refiner self early on.

But among all powerhouses with two true selves, the qi refiner self was inherently weaker, its progress was often slower, and its breakthrough potential was usually limited.

Furthermore, over the long course of cultivation, many true selves of powerhouses would perish due to various crises.

Therefore, among true monstrous prodigies and super powerhouses, those possessing two true selves were extremely rare.

"If his qi refiner self already has such potential, how powerful must his body refiner self be?” Overlord Xin Ya could hardly believe it.

In his long years, with his vast experience traversing numerous rivers of space and time, he had never encountered such a monster. He hadn't even heard of such a thing.

"Is this true?" Overlord Xin Ya was somewhat skeptical.

"Absolutely true," Sovereign Bei You replied. "His body refiner self is part of the Eldritch Court lineage, and is even part of the core of the Eldritch Court. That's why, although I accepted him as a disciple, I didn't allow him to enter the core of the divine court headquarters. It was out of consideration for this."

Under normal circumstances, Sovereign Bei You would be unwilling to disclose this. However, he had been forced into a corner. This pressure came not from any single Overlord, but from the entire Overlord Council of the divine court headquarters. Even as a Sovereign of Space, he couldn't defy it.

"I see," Overlord Xin Ya nodded at first, then shook his head. "In that case, his talent... it's inconceivable. How could such a monstrous prodigy be born in this world? It defies all reason."

Wu Yuan's situation had already surpassed Overlord Xin Ya's understanding.

After some thought, Overlord Xin Ya continued, "This matter is of great importance and must be reported to the True Saint. Bei You, you should personally relay this information. The final decision will be made by the True Saint."

"The True Saint?" Sovereign Bei You was startled. "I don't have the authority to meet the True Saint."

"I'll take you to him, enter the Taiyuan Voidrealm."

…

The Taiyuan Voidrealm was the highest-grade voidrealm of the entire Taiyuan Divine Court, spanning numerous worlds and spacetimes.

One had to be an Astral Lord at least to enter, and even then one’s permissions were rather limited, usually only allowing communication with powerhouses within one's own macrocosm.

Only Sovereigns had the authority to contact the super powerhouses of their faction across numerous macrocosms via the Taiyuan Voidrealm.

Sovereign Bei You held an extremely high position within the Eternal Sun Immortal World. However, he was not part of the innermost core of the divine court headquarters, so his permissions within the Taiyuan Voidrealm were lower than many other Sovereigns.

But today, Sovereign Bei You, following Overlord Xin Ya, entered the most central area of the Taiyuan Voidrealm for the first time—the Taiyuan Hall.

The hall was ancient and unassuming, with no apparent special features, save for a thread of eternal resonance that involuntarily inspired reverence in all who beheld it.

The inside of the hall was empty, devoid of people or objects.

"Reporting to the True Saint, Xin Ya seeks an audience," Overlord Xin Ya bowed respectfully, with Sovereign Bei You following suit.

"Bei You, speak," said Overlord Xin Ya.

"Where is the True Saint?" Sovereign Bei You asked, puzzled.

"The True Saint of the past is here, and the True Saint of the present is also here... This Taiyuan Hall spans past, present, and future," Overlord Xin Ya said in a low voice. "As long as you speak, if the True Saint wishes to know, he will know. If the True Saint wishes to appear, he will appear."

"I see," Sovereign Bei You nodded.

Though he was part of the Spacetime Dao Master's lineage, he had never actually met the Spacetime Dao Master and knew little about these supreme beings.

Moreover, at this point, Sovereign Bei You understood that he had no choice but to reveal the truth.

"Reporting to the True Saint. My grand-disciple, 'Ming Jian'..." Sovereign Bei You recounted the situation in full.

Then, Overlord Xin Ya beside him provided some additional details, mainly describing Ming Jian's various exploits.

The entire hall remained utterly silent.

Whoosh!

An invisible power suddenly converged, forming three lines of text before Overlord Xin Ya and Sovereign Bei You.

"The matter of Ming Jian's two true selves must not be disclosed.

Bring Ming Jian to see me after he leaves the Spacetime Island.

Ming Jian's entry into the divine court headquarters does not conflict with his Eldritch Court lineage."

These three lines of text clearly conveyed the True Saint's stance, shocking both Overlord Xin Ya and Sovereign Bei You to their core.

Overlord Xin Ya was astonished by the swiftness of the True Saint's response.

Sovereign Bei You was surprised that the True Saint didn't mind Ming Jian's affiliation with the Eldritch Court.

"Understood," Overlord Xin Ya and Sovereign Bei You both respectfully replied.