"The second treasure will help upgrade your lifebound flying swords," Sovereign Bei You turned his palm over, revealing a storage artifact and handing it to Wu Yuan. "Take a look."

Wu Yuan felt a slight sense of unease rise in his heart as he reached out to accept it.

One look into its interior confirmed his thoughts.

Floating within this unremarkable storage artifact was a huge crystalline boulder about seven zhangs tall, radiating dense fluctuations of Space’s essence. Countless Space Dao patterns flickered across its surface.

It was a Space Essence Stone.

"This! Grandmaster!" Wu Yuan couldn't help looking at Sovereign Bei You.

Though roughly half the size of what Sovereign Lan Yan had gifted, this massive Space Essence Stone was still incredibly valuable.

"Haha, bet you've never seen a Space Essence Stone of this size." Sovereign Bei You revealed a hint of pride: "I searched long and hard throughout the Greenridge Macrocosm, inquiring with many Sovereigns, but couldn’t find any.

“It was only when I traveled to the Taiyuan True Realm that I finally managed to acquire this through trading with several Sovereign friends.

“Your lifebound flying swords must follow the optimal evolution pathway when you upgrade them to high-grade Dao Instruments in the future. The best material for evolution is Space Essence Stone. As your grandmaster, I can't help much, this is the extent of my ability," Sovereign Bei You sighed.

Sovereign Bei You made it sound simple, but at this moment, Wu Yuan's emotions were incredibly complex. While Sovereign Bei You and Sovereign Lan Yan might be similar in strength, Wu Yuan understood that there was a vast difference in their backgrounds.

The Space Essence Stone Sovereign Lan Yan gifted had cost her about a third of her wealth. How much had Grandmaster Bei You spent?

"Grandmaster, this gift is too precious, I cannot accept it," Wu Yuan immediately refused.

"Stop with these childish gestures, you know my personality," Sovereign Bei You glared at him. Then, he smiled. "Don't overthink it. Your grandmaster doesn’t have many wishes. I am unwilling to meddle in various conflicts, which is why I dwell in the Greenridge Macrocosm, refusing to join the core of the divine court headquarters.

“My greatest desire in this lifetime was previously to achieve transcendence, but after countless millions of years of cultivation, I must admit... it's too difficult, I don’t even have hope of becoming an Overlord," Sovereign Bei You lamented.

He looked at Wu Yuan: "Therefore, I took many disciples and spread many teachings, hoping that there would one day be a disciple who could surpass me and fulfill my wishes.

“Your senior uncles were all too weak, without any hope of accomplishing this. Naturally, they were not worth such investment from me."

Wu Yuan understood what Sovereign Bei You meant.

"Back then I didn't give you many treasures, fearing it would rush your development. I was also worried that if you ultimately failed to reach maturity, the treasures would be wasted," Sovereign Bei You smiled: "Looking at things now, the time is right.

“This is the last time I will be helping you.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“If you eventually become an Overlord, or even a supreme being, then you won’t have let me down," Sovereign Bei You said. "Of course, if you ultimately fail, there's no need to feel you've disappointed me. In this life, as long as you’ve done your best, it’s enough.

“Haha! Regardless, having a disciple like you makes me proud," Sovereign Bei You smiled as he looked at Wu Yuan.

"Grandmaster." Wu Yuan made a solemn bow, truly moved.

"Quickly put it away," Sovereign Bei You shook his head. "If you don't, I might feel reluctant to give it to you for real."

Wu Yuan couldn't help but laugh, feeling that his grandmaster's personality seemed somewhat different from when they had met years ago.

Without further hesitation, Wu Yuan stored the storage artifact.

"Grandmaster, is there any news of Master Dong Yang?" Wu Yuan asked.

Ten thousand years had passed without any news of Sword Immortal Dong Yang, and Wu Yuan felt rather concerned.

"Yes! When your Master left the Greenridge Macrocosm back then, his strength was already quite formidable, and his Dao comprehension had reached the late-stage Astral Monarch level," Sovereign Bei You said. ʀ𝐀Ɲ𝘖ꞖÊṢ

Wu Yuan nodded.

According to what Master Dong Yang had said before leaving, his comprehension of the Law of Life had reached the seventh-level Dao Field stage. He was much stronger than High Eldritch Liu Hong, High Eldritch Wu Jian, and others Wu Yuan had met.

Before the rise of Zhuo Haiyue and himself, Jiang Ming and Jiang Huan were said to be the top talents of this generation in the macrocosm. [1]

But in reality, Master Dong Yang was the true number one, possessing inconceivable aptitude for the Life Dao. His achievements, even among the countless High Immortal geniuses throughout the macrocosm's history, were among the most outstanding.

He was just too low-key, never revealing his real strength.

"Back then, it was Overlord Xin Ya who arranged for him to be sent to another river of space and time called the Long Shan Universe," Sovereign Bei You said. "That universe is where the Creation Dao Master resided, most suitable for comprehending the Law of Life and Law of Death. There are also many opportunities left behind by the Creation Dao Master.

“According to Overlord Xin Ya's guidance, one of the major expedition sites was particularly suitable for his training, so he was sent there," Sovereign Bei You said.

Long Shan Universe? Creation Dao Master? Wu Yuan was surprised.

So, it turned out Master Dong Yang's departure was linked to these secrets. It made sense. How weak was Wu Yuan back then? Only at Amethyst Cradle phase. He was completely unqualified to learn of these matters.

"Separated by different rivers of space and time, and with the Taiyuan Divine Court having no branches in the Long Shan Universe, news travels back extremely slowly," Sovereign Bei You said.

"But according to what we know, your Master has made quite a name for himself in the Long Shan Universe, and his strength has improved. Based on intelligence analysis, he should be somewhat stronger than High Immortal Nan Yin.

“Though probably not as strong as you," Sovereign Bei You smiled.

Wu Yuan smiled.

"Also, I hear he has found a Dao companion," Sovereign Bei You smiled: "Perhaps your master will have a new wife."

"A wife?" Wu Yuan was startled.

His master had cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years and previously had a wife, but she had passed away long ago.

He had actually found another Dao companion? What kind of woman could move Master's heart? Wu Yuan felt rather curious.

"When the Megaverse Crossroads open, your master will enter directly from the Long Shan Universe. You two will have a chance to meet again on the Crossroads," Sovereign Bei You said.

"Yes." Wu Yuan was looking forward to it.

The Megaverse Crossroads connected many rivers of space and time. As long as one's strength reached a certain level, they could enter from any river of space and time. There were no fixed entrances.

"After reaching the divine court headquarters, you can let Overlord Xin Ya know if you need anything. He can be considered completely impartial, which is why he was chosen to lead the Taiyuan Divine Court. You can trust him," Sovereign Bei You instructed: "Also, don't be disrespectful during your audience with the supreme being."

"This disciple will keep it in mind," Wu Yuan said.

"Good, that's all I have to say," Sovereign Bei You smiled: "I'll return to the Greenridge Macrocosm first. I look forward to receiving news of you claiming a Saintcrest on the Megaverse Crossroads."

"I will do my utmost," Wu Yuan said solemnly.

Sovereign Bei You smiled, then disappeared.

Soon after, in the endless darkness of space.

Dong Yang? Ming Jian?

Sovereign Bei You walked through the void, revealing a smile.

Haha, if two consecutive Sovereigns emerge from my lineage, that would truly make for a wonderful tale.

Whoosh!

He headed toward the Greenridge Macrocosm.

As a Sovereign of Space, he could travel independently through the Spacetime Intersection Layer without needing an Overlord to escort him or taking a space battleship.

…

After Sovereign Bei You left, Wu Yuan sat alone on the stone bench.

Another two hours passed.

"Wu Yuan, we've arrived," a gentle voice resounded in Wu Yuan's ears.

Hum~

Wu Yuan felt the surrounding space tremble slightly as the scenery changed, and he appeared in the world outside.

Beside him was Overlord Xin Ya, surrounded by black mist.

"This is?" Wu Yuan held his breath as he gazed into the distance.

Below was a vast, boundless continent dotted with lights. With Wu Yuan's mastery of Space, he quickly understood that they were still extremely far from the continent.

However, this void continent was so enormous that it was visible from such a distance? It was simply astounding. From Wu Yuan's initial perception, the entire void continent might span thousands of light years, perhaps even larger. It definitely wasn't naturally formed through the workings of heaven and earth.

"This void continent is the Taiyuan True Realm, created by True Saint Taiyuan," Overlord Xin Ya smiled. "It is also the headquarters of our Taiyuan Divine Court.

“The continent lies in the Material Spatial Layer, nurturing countless living beings, while the surrounding void is connected to different spatial dimensions," Overlord Xin Ya pointed to the distant void blanketed in darkness.

“Many teleportation arrays that only Sovereign-level powerhouses can control and sense are built within these voids, allowing quick access to any of the divine court's affiliate factions in various macrocosms," Overlord Xin Ya said: "At the same time, it's also to facilitate transport for all super powerhouses to and from the divine court."

Wu Yuan nodded in understanding.

"Take this voidrealm token. After leaving your aura imprint, you'll be able to enter the Taiyuan Voidrealm. You currently have rank six authority," Overlord Xin Ya said: "The ranking system in our Taiyuan Divine Court is similar to the Eldritch Court's."

Overlord Xin Ya waved his hand, and a fist-sized crystal token floated before Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan received it and quickly branded his aura imprint onto it.

Boom!

A vast amount of information began pouring from the token into Wu Yuan's mind. With a soul that rivaled an Astral Lord's, Wu Yuan fully absorbed it in less than a breath.

It was all basic information about the Taiyuan Divine Court, providing Wu Yuan with a rough understanding of the entire Taiyuan Divine Court and Taiyuan True Realm so he wouldn't be completely in the dark.

I’ve just arrived, yet already have rank six authority. My privileges are quite high.

Wu Yuan thought to himself.

The higher, rank seven positions were mostly reserved for Sovereigns, and granting such a position to a young genius would likely displease many Sovereigns.

Given their vast territories, most Saintdoms had numerous Sovereign powerhouses in their ranks. But Sovereigns were mostly scattered across various macrocosms and possessed unparalleled advantages in their home macrocosms. Thus, Sovereigns were more like semi-independent feudal lords, with extremely high autonomy and elevated statuses.

Even the Overlords of divine court headquarters would typically consult with the Sovereigns of various macrocosms on most matters.

1. in case anyone is wondering, it’s NOT the same Jiang ☜

Whysee's Thoughts

Sorry guys, minor retcon. I'll be changing Immortal Imperator to Immortal Reverend as I'd like to save the term 'Imperator' for the Heavenly Imperator alone. Quick recap: Immortal Reverend (previously Immortal Imperator) is how Overlords and other lifeforms from the Immortal Court address their eternal/supreme beings.