Compared to his body refiner self who broke through under the pressure of intense battles, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self's cultivation progress was indeed much slower.

There were many factors at play. Firstly, comprehending Spacetime naturally made him practically unassailable, resulting in less pressure from life-or-death situations. Additionally, his comprehension of the Creation Dao had reached the limit of the True Intent stage far earlier.

However, over nearly thirty thousand years of cultivation, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self had progressed steadily and methodically, with dazzling achievements at the Divine Domain stage.

In terms of breakthrough speed alone, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self was even slightly faster than Zhu Shan had been back then.

All nine lifebound flying swords have now been upgraded.

Wu Yuan's qi refiner self murmured quietly.

However, whether in terms of kill count, Dao comprehension, or my mastery of the Primordial Doctrine, I have already met all requirements. Unless necessary, there's no need to reveal everything.

In terms of kill count, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self had slain over three hundred thousand mana/ether bodies, far surpassing most Supreme Geniuses, ranking at least top five across all Divine Domain Worlds - and this was with him spending considerable time on cultivation.

It could be said that his qi refiner self had already met the standards for entering the Heavenly Domain stage in all aspects.

However, if I truly encounter treasures worth fighting for, I'll have to give it my all.

Wu Yuan contemplated.

Over the course of more than eight thousand years, both of Wu Yuan's true selves amassed a staggering wealth of treasures and encountered numerous cultivation opportunities. In terms of rare artifacts and treasures alone, the value of what either of Wu Yuan's true selves had acquired exceeded the possessions of ordinary Sovereigns.

Wu Yuan's qi refiner self, with his exceptional perception and scouting capabilities, had secured over ten high-grade Dao Instruments, along with countless mid-grade and regular Dao Instruments—a truly formidable stockpile. Despite their power, these high-grade Dao Instruments remained beyond his current ability to wield effectively.

It was precisely because of these many fortuitous encounters and treasures that countless participating geniuses were willing to risk their lives. And these were just the opportunities and treasures in the Divine Domain stage.

Next, I shall continue cultivating in seclusion, working to comprehend the seventh step to even greater heights, while waiting for the Heavenly Domain stage to begin.

Wu Yuan's qi refiner self decided on his direction.

…

With his qi refiner self's breakthrough, Wu Yuan's mind was now free of confusion and doubt, achieving complete tranquility. This allowed both his true selves to comprehend the Great Daos and its Laws even quicker.

Year after year, the Supreme Geniuses lived unfettered and carefree lives. As long as they survived until the end, they were guaranteed to enter the Heavenly Domain stage.

Meanwhile, the thousand or so geniuses who had mastered Sovereign-level techniques, as well as the numerous participants with peak-stage Astral Monarch comprehension, grew increasingly desperate, taking greater risks.

Among them, many had barely met the minimum requirements, while others were very close. Being so near to the goal naturally meant they had to push through with everything they had!

For example, since killing one hundred thousand mana/ether bodies would grant entry to the Heavenly Domain stage, many geniuses with peak-stage Astral Monarch comprehension who had killed over eighty thousand naturally grew desperate.

Then there was the comprehension of the Primordial Doctrine. After over eight thousand years, news and intelligence had spread far and wide.

Only the first three chapters were disseminated so far, and all participants knew that analyzing one thousand diagrams of any chapter would allow them to earn the recognition of the Primordial essence.

The vast majority of geniuses progressed very slowly, but a few had exceeded nine hundred diagrams, naturally making them quite anxious.

Whether it was killing or gathering information on cultivation opportunities, millions of participating geniuses spiraled into urgency as the end of the first stage drew near.

…

In an unremarkable Divine Domain World was a rather mysterious opportunity ground.

Rumble~

Countless lightning bolts crackled, surging like a vast sea of lightning.

Clad in silver armor, Zhuo Haiyue sat in lotus position amidst the endless lightning, her aura now incredibly powerful. A trace of an eternal aura subtly revolved around her.

The Violet Night Thunder Art - I've finally completed the first step.

Zhuo Haiyue possessed an exquisitely beautiful face, but her expressions and gaze shifted unpredictably. At times, she radiated tender affection; at others, she exuded cold indifference, and occasionally, flashes of madness flickered in her eyes. It was as if multiple personalities were vying for dominance within her Yuan Soul.

Beneath her seemingly powerful exterior, strange rays of light seeped out.

Whoosh~

A surging, vast presence descended, instantly suppressing everything like holy light purifying filth, swiftly returning her expression to normal.

She shut her eyes tightly.

Rumble rumble~

The surging lightning withdrew into her silver armor, and silence returned to this small realm.

At last, I've successfully taken the first step.

Zhuo Haiyue opened her eyes. Her gaze held a hint of joy at surviving a calamity, as if she had finally seen the light at the end of an endlessly long and dark tunnel.

You want to control me? But so what if you're a True Saint? So what if you're supreme?

Zhuo Haiyue murmured to herself.

This is the Megaverse Crossroads, where your consciousness and your techniques will all be suppressed by the Primordial Rules.

She had been planning for this day for a very long time.

Very early on, when she went to the Taiyuan Divine Court and displayed rapid growth, the Overlords of the divine court headquarters had noticed her abnormality and devised a detailed and thorough cultivation plan for her, all so she could fight for that slim chance of survival.

The first step was to go to the Spacetime Dao Realm, attempting to break free with the help of the realm's special environment and the Spacetime Dao Master's opportunities, but Zhuo Haiyue's aptitude for Space and Time was ultimately too low, and she failed.

However, she didn't leave empty-handed. Most crucially, she gave the Thunderforce Bead to Wu Yuan's qi refiner self, borrowing Wu Yuan's hand to gain some initiative, which subsequently increased her chances of survival.

Afterwards, Zhuo Haiyue went to the Violet Night Universe. In that universe of Wan Lei's origin, she grew steadily while struggling on the edge of life and death, and seized many opportunities.

Finally, she obtained the Violet Night Thunder Art, a technique left behind by a supreme being. Only by cultivating this supreme technique would she have hope of resisting the Thunder Saint Imprint’s constant erosion.

The final step was the Megaverse Crossroads, where even the methods of supreme beings were completely unable to interfere with its unique environment.

She had just mastered the introductory stage of the Violet Night Thunder Art, and took this opportunity to completely comprehend the Law of Thunder.

Fully comprehending the Law of Thunder. So this is what it feels like to be a Supreme Genius?

Zhuo Haiyue silently sensed the complete Law of Thunder. The vast and boundless essence of Thunder was immensely powerful and mesmerizing.

In truth, if Zhuo Haiyue had wanted to, she could have comprehended the Law of Thunder in just over ten thousand years of cultivation. However, she had kept delaying, all the way till today.

Hmph! Using the Violet Night Thunder Art to master the Law of Thunder - this probably isn’t within your expectations.

Zhuo Haiyue murmured to herself, her gaze distant as she looked into the depths of spacetime, as if meeting the gaze of a mighty being's will.

After leaving the Crossroads, you'll probably seek another chance.

Zhuo Haiyue gently closed her eyes.

When that time comes, we'll fight again.

Supreme beings were invincible and mighty - in a sense, they could not truly die. However, death was still death.

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

With the Taiyuan Divine Court assisting her behind the scenes, Zhuo Haiyue fought for a slim chance of survival in every window of opportunity she was granted. Now, she finally saw the light of dawn.

A Saintcrest?

Zhuo Haiyue muttered to herself.

Even if I can't obtain it, I must try my best.

Having entered the ranks of Supreme Geniuses, Zhuo Haiyue naturally yearned for it too.

…

In another Divine Domain World.

Kill! I've already killed over ninety thousand mana/ether bodies. I absolutely cannot hold back until the final moment. Only by killing do I have hope.

Sword Immortal Dong Yang controlled flying sword after flying sword, slaughtering frantically.

For over eight thousand years, he relentlessly sought out enemies, his strength steadily growing. Now at the peak-stage Astral Monarch level, he could sense he was on the verge of mastering Sovereign-level techniques.

This was a considerable level of strength - it would be hard to find many geniuses of this caliber in the entire Ling Jiang Universe. However, on this battlefield where countless geniuses from the endless megaverse had gathered, it still seemed somewhat lacking.

It wasn't that High Immortal Dongyang wasn't strong enough, but rather that the other peerless geniuses were too powerful.

Of course, High Immortal Dongyang’s heart was at peace, clearly aware of the achievements of Wu Yuan's two true selves.

Wu Yuan qi refiner self was publicly acknowledged to rank among the top hundred in direct combat on the Crossroads. As for Wu Yuan's body refiner self, he was acknowledged as one of the top ten.

High Immortal Dongyang felt no disappointment when comparing himself to Wu Yuan, only joy at his disciple's achievements.

A disciple need not be inferior to their master. It’s wonderful that my disciple has achieved such success.

High Immortal Dongyang couldn't help but smile at the thought of Wu Yuan.

He pursued strength and took pride in having such a disciple. However, whether by luck or some invisible influence in the grand scheme of things, Wu Yuan's two true selves never encountered High Immortal Dongyang while traversing various Divine Domain Worlds over thousands of years.

…

In another Divine Domain World.

Haha! Finally, a breakthrough.

Deep within a cave inside what appeared to be an unremarkable desolate mountain, ripples of energy emanated from Jiang Huan's body.

He broke into a smile.

The Divine Domain World is truly miraculous. My cultivation efficiency has reached an incredible level - in just a few thousand years, I've made breakthrough after breakthrough.

When Jiang Huan first entered the Divine Domain World, he had only cultivated the Law of Life to the third-level Dao Field stage. But now, he had broken through to the fifth-level Dao Field stage.

Though this level wasn't particularly outstanding among the countless talented participants, and fell far short of the requirements for entering the Heavenly Domain stage, Jiang Huan was deeply satisfied nevertheless. He had exceeded the goals he had set for himself.

Back then, Master was only at the third-level Dao Field stage in the Law of Life when he broke through, yet he still managed to become a Sovereign.

Jiang Huan smiled faintly.

Now, though I cannot compare to Junior Brother Wu Yuan, I have surpassed Master’s level back then.

Master ultimately became a Sovereign. As long as I cultivate step by step, growing stronger gradually, I too will have the chance to become a Sovereign one day.

Jiang Huan felt at peace.

This was his nature. Nothing in the world outside could shake Jiang Huan’s resolve - he pursued only his own strength, and focused solely on himself.

In terms of talent, Jiang Huan was only slightly above average among the countless geniuses of the Megaverse Crossroads. But in terms of temperament and willpower, he was truly exceptional.

Among super powerhouses, once one reached the pinnacle of cultivation, one’s heart and mind determined how far one could go.

…

As the Divine Domain stage gradually drew to a close, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self roamed about, killing others, though none could force him to reveal full power. The true strength of his qi refiner self remained unexposed.

Whoosh~

On this day, an extremely powerful surge of spiritual qi suddenly swept across the vast land.

In a higher spatial dimension, Wu Yuan's mana body immediately sensed it.

A treasure? This aura... a high-grade Dao Instrument?

Wu Yuan's mana body opened his eyes, a glimmer of delight flashing through them.

Though he had obtained many treasures over thousands of years, high-grade Dao Instruments were still rare. Each one was precious. Since he had encountered one, he naturally wanted to obtain it.

Boom!

Wu Yuan's mana body flashed through the higher spatial dimension, rushing swiftly toward the source of the disturbance.

Soon, Wu Yuan's mana body arrived. Looking into the distance, he saw a vast lake spanning over a million li, where endless waters surged and roiled, forming a massive vortex.

Within the vortex, a nearly transparent divine sword was slowly rising.

Space? A space divine sword? A high-grade Dao Instrument?

Wu Yuan's mana body's eyes flickered with clear desire.

In that instant, he made his decision - he absolutely had to obtain this treasure.

Though super powerhouses could use artifacts that didn't match the Dao they comprehended, it was far more difficult to control them, and the mana consumed to activate them forcefully was high, thus reducing their effectiveness. Therefore, super powerhouses mostly pursued powerful artifacts that were compatible with them.

Among the fifteen Greater Laws, Time Dao Instruments were the rarest, followed by Space Dao Instruments.

Why was the Black Devil Blood Hollow considered a top-grade Dao Instrument? Because it was a Space Dao Instrument. And while a Space divine sword couldn't compare to the Black Devil Blood Hollow, it was perfectly suited for Wu Yuan.

It hasn't fully emerged yet?

Wu Yuan's mana body noticed.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

By now, many participants who had sensed the disturbance had arrived, detecting this ultimate treasure.

“A Dao Instrument! It should be a high-grade Dao Instrument!”

"A high-grade Dao Instrument?" The geniuses who had arrived instantly grew covetous.

Wu Yuan's mana and ether bodies had amassed many treasures due to their overwhelming strength, never perishing even once in the Crossroads. As for other geniuses? Even High Immortal Dongyang's total accumulated treasures weren't worth as much as a single high-grade Dao Instrument. One could only imagine how tempting a high-grade Dao Instrument was to these ordinary participating geniuses.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Though the divine sword hadn't fully emerged, several geniuses, consumed by greed, couldn't help but rush forward, trying to secure advantageous positions. This way, once the treasure emerged, they could seize it immediately.

"If you don't wish to die, retreat immediately." A cold voice suddenly thundered: "You are not qualified to compete for a treasure of this caliber."

All the geniuses in the area revealed looks of shock.

"Who is it?"

"Who's there?" These geniuses hesitated, all vaguely understanding that they had likely encountered a super genius.

However, the temptation of a high-grade Dao Instrument was simply too great. For the moment, none of them were willing to retreat. After all, even if they failed and perished, they would only lose an ether body. But if they succeeded?

"You won’t retreat? Then die!" The cold voice rang out again.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Within the expanse of void spanning ten thousand li, several invisible sword lights flashed, moving at extreme speeds.

Splurch! Splurch!

The heads of the four fastest geniuses were abruptly pierced, fear barely registering in their eyes.

Three High Immortals and one High Deity were dead.

The void fell silent in an instant. Those geniuses who had just arrived could only stare at this scene in disbelief, their faces etched with horror. Who could have done this? Without even revealing themselves, someone had managed to slay four geniuses with just a single sword strike.

"Could it be someone who can access a higher spatial dimension?"

“Who is it?” They transmitted among themselves, each one perplexed yet wary, none daring to step closer.

As time ticked by, more geniuses gathered at the scene. Each new arrival paused at the grisly sight of the fallen geniuses. Alongside the transmitted discussion, not one dared venture within ten thousand li of the treasure.

Then, a deep, resonant voice broke through the silence, echoing ominously across the void. “Just a bunch of tricks. You're not qualified to take this treasure!”

Boom!

A towering figure, brimming with a majestic aura, stepped through the void, rushing over fiercely.