Chapter 926: The Saber Named Black Rock

In the Spacetime Intersection Layer, where time and space flowed chaotically, Great Eldritch Kua Fu stood in the distance, waiting silently.

Despite his lofty position, he couldn't normally request an audience with Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu. Therefore, he was quite curious about Wu Yuan, as he knew little about him.

Hum~

The calm void in the distance rippled slightly, and a black-robed figure flew out - it was Wu Yuan.

"Come here." Great Eldritch Kua Fu willed, releasing an invisible force that immediately guided Wu Yuan over.

Even though Wu Yuan's strength had progressed astonishingly quickly, rivaling the mightiest Astral Monarchs, he still couldn't survive in the Spacetime Intersection Layer without protection and would be instantly shredded. The Spacetime Intersection Layer was a place only Overlords or Sovereigns of Space could venture.

"Great Eldritch." Wu Yuan bowed respectfully.

"Did you meet the Eldritch Progenitor?" Great Eldritch Kua Fu smiled.

"Yes." Wu Yuan nodded.

"Good, remember the Eldritch Progenitor's words." Great Eldritch Kua Fu said, "Also, be sure not to reveal anything about Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, and don't let anyone know you've met her."

"Understood." Wu Yuan's heart tightened as he quickly agreed.

"As per the Eldritch Progenitor's orders, as a Saintcrest Prodigy, bringing glory to our Eldritch Court is a great merit. You have been promoted to the eighth rank in the Eldritch Court Voidrealm," Great Eldritch Kua Fu smiled.

"Eighth rank?" Wu Yuan was stunned.

If he remembered correctly, Master Kua Chi had only reached the eighth rank after countless eons of cultivation. Among the numerous Sovereigns in the Eldritch Court, the eighth rank was considered mid-tier.

"You find it too low?" Great Eldritch Kua Fu laughed, "In terms of importance, you surpass the vast majority of Sovereigns, but the Eldritch Court has countless powerhouses and established rules and systems."

"I understand," Wu Yuan quickly replied. Too low? He actually thought it was a bit high.

"As an eighth-rank member, you have Sovereign-level authority," Great Eldritch Kua Fu said. "I've already sent you the details through the Eldritch Court Voidrealm. In the future, if you encounter any troubles in the Ling Jiang Universe that you find difficult to resolve, look for me through the Eldritch Court Voidrealm."

"This?" Wu Yuan was taken aback.

"What, you think I’m not good enough?" Great Eldritch Kua Fu's face darkened.

"I wouldn't dare. I thank the Great Eldritch," Wu Yuan said respectfully. He understood that this was Great Eldritch Kua Fu showing goodwill and trying to win him over.

The reason? Claiming a Saintcrest played a part, but it wasn't the main reason. After all, most Saintcrest Prodigies still faced many hurdles to becoming Overlords. The more important reason was - Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.

Borrowing the tiger's might?

Wu Yuan mused inwardly. [1]

But it actually feels quite good, even a Great Eldritch is being so courteous to me.

"Now that you've met the Eldritch Progenitor, it's time to return," Great Eldritch Kua Fu smiled. "Overlord Hou Jue has been waiting for you. You should also return to the Ling Jiang Universe. It won't be too late to venture out after you become a Sovereign or even an Overlord in the future."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

This was a secret he was aware of – if one cultivated the path of matter, it didn't matter where one practiced or broke through. But the path of Laws was different. It was best to achieve breakthroughs in one's home universe, as the Dao essence of one's home universe perfectly aligned with the Dao one had comprehended from young.

Whoosh!

Great Eldritch Kua Fu led Wu Yuan through the Spacetime Intersection Layer. Soon, space distorted as they descended through the dimensions, and they appeared before a majestic temple - the hall of elites.

Outside the temple stood a stunningly beautiful woman in black robes. Her aura was vast and ethereal, not much weaker than Great Eldritch Kua Fu's.

"Great Eldritch." Overlord Hou Jue smiled.

"Overlord." Wu Yuan bowed respectfully to Overlord Hou Jue.

"I've brought him," Great Eldritch Kua Fu looked at Overlord Hou Jue and said solemnly, "He's a good seedling. Your Ling Jiang lineage must nurture him well, don't let him wither midway."

"Of course," Overlord Hou Jue smiled, "He's the first Saintcrest Prodigy of our Ling Jiang lineage. Even Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang sent me a message. We'll spare no effort in cultivating him."

"Go on then." Great Eldritch Kua Fu waved his hand, then vanished into the void with a flicker.

"Wu Yuan, come, let's return to the Ling Jiang Universe first. I'll explain more on the way," Overlord Hou Jue smiled.

"Yes," Wu Yuan said.

Soon, Overlord Hou Jue brought Wu Yuan onto a silver battleship, departing from the Eldritch Court Universe.

Even traveling through the Spacetime Intersection Layer, the journey from the Eldritch Court Universe back to the Ling Jiang Universe would still take a month.

...

News of the Megaverse Crossroads' conclusion, as well as information about the top hundred, top ten, Saintcrest Prodigies, and more, first spread among the core headquarters of various Saintdoms, then was quickly transmitted to countless Sovereigns across the macrocosms.

In an inconspicuous worldlet within the Greenridge Macrocosm, Sovereign Kua Chi and Sovereign Bei You had been waiting.

A thousand years, ten thousand years - to them, it passed in the blink of an eye. The two of them weren't considered part of their respective factions' innermost circle, but because of their connection to Wu Yuan, they received the news at the first instance.

"Two Saintcrests?"

"His body refiner self took the First Saintcrest; his qi refiner self took the Third Saintcrest?" Sovereign Kua Chi and Sovereign Bei You were completely dumbfounded when they got the news.

They knew Wu Yuan was strong and had high hopes for him, expecting him to break into the top twenty or even the top ten. They even harbored a glimmer of hope that Wu Yuan might claim a Saintcrest.

But, the two Sovereigns had never imagined Wu Yuan could achieve this - his two true selves claiming a Saintcrest each. It was simply too heaven-defying.

"My disciple?" Sovereign Kua Chi held his breath, feeling his mind in a whirl.

"My grand-disciple." Sovereign Bei You was equally stunned and shocked. Wu Yuan's achievements in the Megaverse Crossroads not only exceeded their imagination but went beyond the scope of their predictions.

A moment passed!

"Kua Chi, stop thinking about it," Sovereign Bei You suddenly sighed. "I've figured it out. Ming Jian's talent and accomplishments are simply beyond our comprehension and imagination. He must have already caught the attention of supreme beings. His future is now out of our hands.

“To claim a Saintcrest, his comprehension of the Dao is likely not far behind ours. How long has he been cultivating for?" Sovereign Bei You shook his head in amazement.

"I understand." Sovereign Kua Chi shook his head. "It's just that such an achievement is too shocking. I still can’t wrap my head around it."

How vast was a macrocosm? Countless living beings occupied it, yet only dozens of Sovereigns were born over hundreds of billions of years.

Each Sovereign could be called an outstanding figure, and they were all extremely confident individuals. When they took in disciples, their requirements were also extremely stringent, but few disciples could match up to them.

However, compared to Wu Yuan, the progress they made over billions of years of arduous cultivation seemed utterly disheartening.

"Now that the Megaverse Crossroads has concluded and we've received the news, I'll take my leave," Sovereign Bei You said. "Ming Jian's qi refiner self is fine. Even if he attracts attention, the divine court headquarters has no public enemies.

“Meanwhile, his body refiner self is likely already a thorn in the side of the Immortal Court." Sovereign Bei You looked at Sovereign Kua Chi. "As his master, you must do your best to protect him."

"I understand. I'll do my utmost," Sovereign Kua Chi said.

They both knew deep down that Wu Yuan probably didn't need their help now. But they both wanted to do something.

I should go and discuss this with Cang Feng, Zi Yang, and the others.

Sovereign Kua Chi thought to himself.

Wu Yuan will definitely return eventually. How should we treat him?

He wasn’t worried about himself, after all, he was Wu Yuan’s master and believed in his disciple’s character. But what about the other Sovereigns? Should they treat him as an equal? These were all issues to consider.

The Voltari Temple?

Sovereign Kua Chi revealed a cold smile.

Voltari, Sha Fan, you must be riddled with anxiety now.

...

Sovereign Kua Chi's guess wasn’t wrong. When news spread that Wu Yuan and Ming Jian had each claimed a Saintcrest, the most panicked group was the Voltari Temple.

In the Immortal Court Voidrealm, within the highest level voidrealm of the Immortal Court, in the Voltari Plane, seven figures with imposing auras had gathered in the core chamber of the most central temple.

Sovereign Voltari, Sovereign Sha Fan, Sovereign Shi Qing, and others were all present. Over the long years, the Voltari Temple had produced a total of seven Sovereigns, with usually only five stationed in the macrocosm. But today, all seven Sovereigns had assembled.

"How could Wu Yuan claim a Saintcrest?"

"Saintcrest Prodigies - only a hundred or so have been born over endless ages. Before this, our universe had only produced two. How could two be born in this iteration alone?"

"And one of them is from the Cang Feng Eldritch World?" The seven Sovereigns spoke in turn, instinctively feeling it was somewhat absurd.

Saintcrest Prodigies! They were truly rare, only heard of in ages past. And now, one was a foreseeable great threat on the horizon.

Just as the seven Sovereigns were deliberating, countless motes of light coalesced, forming a slightly blurred figure in white robes. His aura was vast and unfathomable, with a faint hint of eternity.

"The Immortal Emperor has arrived."

"Immortal Emperor." Sovereign Cang Feng, Sovereign Shi Qing, and the other five Sovereigns all bowed respectfully.

"No need for such formalities." The elderly man in white robes had an ethereal presence. His gaze swept over the many Sovereigns of the Voltari Temple.

The Sovereigns hesitated, words on the tips of their tongues.

"I understand your thoughts, and I understand your concerns," the elderly man in white robes said slowly. "Wu Yuan, if he does not perish, is destined to become an Overlord in the future. Indeed, he is a great threat."

The seven Sovereigns listened intently. Destined to become an Overlord? Their hearts turned cold at the thought.

"He is a threat! But such a monstrous prodigy will undoubtedly receive the highest level of protection from the Eldritch Court. It would be extremely difficult to assassinate him," the elderly man in white robes said softly. "Even if an Overlord were to act personally, success cannot be guaranteed."

"What about the supreme beings?"

"Surely they can kill him?" Several couldn't help but ask.

"If Wu Yuan weren't so dazzling, a supreme being could assassinate him silently and the Eldritch Court wouldn't expend great effort to investigate," the elderly man in white robes shook his head slightly. "But now, Wu Yuan shines too brightly. If he were to perish, the Eldritch Court would undoubtedly investigate thoroughly. Supreme beings cannot act against sempiternal lifeforms - this is the rule established between our two greatest factions."

The seven Sovereigns fell silent. There was such a rule? They hadn't known about this.

"Then what should we do?" Sovereign Sha Fan asked.

"Wait!" The elderly man in white robes uttered a single word.

Everyone was taken aback.

"Even for a Saintcrest Prodigy, the path to becoming an Overlord is not smooth sailing," the elderly man in white robes said impassively. "There are many difficulties and dangers. Of the hundred-odd Saintcrest Prodigies, quite a few have perished.

“Though Wu Yuan shines brightly, perhaps he too will fall along the way," the elderly man in white robes said.

Fall? Wait for Wu Yuan to perish on his own? The seven Sovereigns of the Voltari Temple exchanged glances, all instinctively feeling that this plan was rather unreliable.

"Immortal Emperor," Sovereign Cang Feng finally couldn't hold back and said in a low voice, "What if Wu Yuan grows smoothly into an Overlord?"

"Then you shall migrate," the elderly man in white robes said softly. "Or do you believe you can defeat an Overlord in his home world?"

The Sovereigns fell into complete silence. Sempiternal lifeforms would be suppressed when entering foreign macrocosms. The stronger they were, the more severe the suppression.

An Overlord, upon visiting a foreign macrocosm, could only exert the power of a late-stage Sovereign. Because of this, once any macrocosm produced an Overlord, it would be swiftly unified, and no Saintdom would dare to invade it. Victory was impossible!

Wait? Wait for the Voltari Temple to be destroyed?" Sovereign Sha Fan shook his head, his “voice tinged with despair.

...

In the chaotic and dark Spacetime Intersection Layer, a silver battleship continued to forge ahead.

Inside the battleship, within one of the meditation chambers.

Xiantian artifact! As expected of a Xiantian artifact, it's truly... truly... too powerful.

Wu Yuan's body refiner self sat in lotus position atop a jade platform. This was the highest-level meditation chamber in the entire battleship.

His expression remained impassive, but inwardly he was overcome with wild joy and excitement.

For the past two days, though he appeared to be meditating, he had actually been studying the treasures he had acquired.

During his journey through the Megaverse Crossroads, both of Wu Yuan's true selves had obtained no less than ten high-grade Dao Instruments, along with numerous mid-grade and low-grade Dao Instruments. It could be said that he no longer lacked high-grade Dao Instruments.

With his strength and status, few would dare covet the Dao Instruments in his possession. Only two treasures were exceptions. One was the reward bestowed upon the top ten participants by the Megaverse Crossroads. The other was a gift from Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.

After initial examination, Wu Yuan could confirm that both were Xiantian artifacts, surpassing high-grade Dao Instruments. Each was priceless, enough to incite countless Sovereigns to fight to the death. Even Overlords would covet them.

Thus, Wu Yuan was extremely cautious, not daring to take out the two treasures lest he tempt Overlord Hou Jue. He only dared to study them within his internal shambhala.

On the path of Laws, he remained at the High Eldritch phase, not yet attempting further Immortal Tribulations.

But on the path of matter, through reconstructing his physical body, he had metamorphosed into a mid-stage sempiternal lifeform. The power of his fists alone was enough to rival a seventh-stage Astral Monarch powerhouse.

Such a formidable physique already approached that of many body refiner Sovereigns. If he were to unleash his supreme burst secret art, simultaneously erupting with the power of both paths, Wu Yuan believed his strength would reach a terrifying level.

Astral Monarch Gui Yi? Senior Brother Xuan Yun?

Wu Yuan mused to himself. Even when it came to quasi-Sovereign powerhouses, they would only find out who was stronger through actual combat. Because of this, Wu Yuan was quite confident that even an Overlord couldn't silently pry into his internal shambhala.

Saber!

Wu Yuan murmured, his consciousness fully focused on his internal shambhala.

The shambhala was vast, the Boundary Tree lush, and the Teng Snake swam through the river of ether. Within the air of the internal shambhala floated a pitch-black battle saber. Its surface was inscribed with countless intricate patterns, emanating a hazy and vast aura.

At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but to Wu Yuan's perception, its aura was quite similar to that of supreme beings, as if carrying the eternal Dao. Heavy, enduring, and boundless. Eternal and majestic!

Within a Xiantian artifact lies the corresponding profundities of a Great Dao.

Wu Yuan marveled inwardly.

No wonder it's called Xiantian. [2] The Dao essence of this saber likely contains about one-tenth of the Creation Great Dao’s profundities.

Though it contained only one-tenth of the profundities, it far surpassed high-grade Dao Instruments, reaching another level entirely.

The saber's name is Black Rock.

Wu Yuan sensed carefully. This was the Xiantian artifact he had obtained from the Megaverse Crossroads, a weapon that possessed limitless power.

1. 狐假虎威 The idiom originates from a Chinese fable where a fox boasts of its ability to control animals by walking in front of a tiger. The other animals are afraid, but they're actually scared of the tiger, not the fox. The fox is merely taking advantage of the tiger's fearsome reputation. ☜

2. 先天

Xiantian can be roughly translated as ‘Innate’ or ‘Pre-existing’. Xiantian items or beings are often considered to have existed from the beginning of the universe or possess fundamental truths of existence. ☜