Chapter 930: Astral Monarch Wu Yuan (1)

Before Astral Monarch Hou Qu could ponder further, a gentle voice rang out, "Rise, all of you." It was followed by a vast power that lifted all hundred or so Astral Monarchs to their feet.

Only then could the Astral Monarchs clearly see the figure seated on the throne.

Instantly, many revealed expressions of shock.

Their new master was none other than Wu Yuan.

Ten thousand years ago, Wu Yuan's name had spread among countless immortals and deities throughout the macrocosm, and he was universally acknowledged as the greatest peerless genius in the history of the macrocosm.

Ten thousand years later, Wu Yuan returned from the Megaverse Crossroads. Not much time had passed since then, but news of him claiming a Saintcrest had already spread from the Sovereign level down to the Astral Monarch level. At the very least, all hundred-odd Astral Monarchs present were somewhat aware. They were naturally familiar with Wu Yuan's appearance and build.

"Wu Yuan?"

"This?"

"Him?" The group of Astral Monarchs were both shocked and confused, completely at a loss.

After all, though they knew Wu Yuan was an unparalleled genius, there was still a vast gap between him and their conception of a 'Sovereign-level powerhouse'.

One could hardly blame these Astral Monarchs. Geniuses approaching the Supreme Genius requirements were already rare throughout the entire macrocosm, let alone someone of Wu Yuan's caliber. Becoming a Sovereign after cultivating for mere tens of thousands of years? That was the stuff of legend.

"There's no need for doubt, everyone," said Wu Yuan, seated upon the throne and gazing down at the figures below. His voice was gentle yet ethereal.

Under Wu Yuan's scrutiny, each Astral Monarch's figure seemed rather insignificant. Possessing Sovereign-level authority allowed Wu Yuan to wield tremendous power within the Cang Feng Eldritch Voidrealm. But one's aura and spiritual resonance could not be simulated. At this moment, in the eyes of these Astral Monarchs, Wu Yuan appeared as unfathomable as a true Sovereign.

"I am not yet a Sovereign," Wu Yuan smiled and said, "But when I return to the Ling Jiang Universe, I will break through. You are my first subordinates in the eldritch world. When the time comes, I will summon you again."

"Understood," the hundred Astral Monarchs respectfully acknowledged, having regained their composure.

They had all realized the situation. Wu Yuan was a Saintcrest Prodigy. Once he broke through, would he not become a Sovereign?

"Hou Qu," Wu Yuan turned his gaze to Astral Monarch Hou Qu.

"Sovereign," Astral Monarch Hou Qu replied respectfully.

Wu Yuan couldn't be bothered to correct his form of address.

"From today onwards, you shall be my chief Astral Monarch. The initial construction of the entire Yuan Realm will be your responsibility. It will be hard work, but I will allocate some resources to you," Wu Yuan said. "In the future, if anything comes up, you may contact me directly."

"Serving the Sovereign is my duty," Astral Monarch Hou Qu's eyes flashed with joy.

The other Astral Monarchs' eyes flickered with envy. Anyone could see that Wu Yuan placed great trust in Astral Monarch Hou Qu.

"Going forward, you will be in charge of assigning tasks to the other Astral Monarchs, Hou Qu," Wu Yuan said. "You may all take your leave now."

"Yes, Sovereign." Astral Monarch Hou Qu, Astral Monarch Long Bei, and the others all bowed respectfully before vanishing from the hall.

Yuan Realm?

Wu Yuan smiled and shook his head.

The eldritch world was composed of around eight hundred eldritch nations, and each Sovereign would receive a vast territory under their direct dominion. All resources, Faith, and so on within their territory belonged solely to the Sovereign. This spacetime territory was roughly the size of ten eldritch nations. This was a rule of the Eldritch Court.

Though Wu Yuan had not yet become a Sovereign, he was already an eighth-rank member, equivalent to a true Sovereign in many aspects. Naturally, he too was allocated a domain under his direct governance. Wu Yuan had simply named it the Yuan Realm.

Apart from Faith power, this Yuan Realm offers little assistance in other aspects.

Wu Yuan mused to himself.

However, nurturing disciples and successors is indeed a responsibility of powerhouses at the Sovereign level.

Sovereign Kua Chi and Sovereign Cang Feng had raised numerous cultivators from the younger generations over long ages. This was how peerless geniuses like Jiang Huan and even Wu Yuan himself had risen to prominence.

Maintaining a long-lasting, unbroken legacy - this was the reason the Eldritch Court could stand strong all this time.

Having cultivated for tens of thousands of years, Wu Yuan’s rise to power had finally taken shape. In terms of strength alone, he was already approaching the Sovereign level. Naturally, he needed to shoulder some responsibilities.

On another note, I now have a vast territory to further develop the Summerpeak lineage.

Wu Yuan thought to himself.

He had already transmitted detailed information about the Summerpeak lineage to Astral Monarch Hou Qu. He had also relayed some information about the Yuan Realm to his sister Wu Yijun, Fang Xia, and the others, instructing them to make proper arrangements.

From now on, more powerhouses of the Summerpeak lineage would develop within the domain Wu Yuan directly governed.

As for the Astral Monarchs selected as his subordinates? Apart from Astral Monarch Hou Qu, the other Astral Monarchs were randomly chosen. Only Astral Monarch Hou Qu had been specifically requested by name by Sovereign Kua Chi.

In truth, this was something many Astral Monarchs dreamed of. After all, advancing from Astral Monarch to the Sovereign phase was incredibly difficult. Among tens of thousands of Astral Monarchs, barely one might break through. Having an additional Sovereign as a backer meant one's status would skyrocket.

Hm?

Suddenly, a hint of surprise flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes.

After so many days, True Saint Taiyuan finally wishes to see me?

His body refiner self had been summoned by Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu immediately upon returning, receiving the Azure Origin Armor.

As for his qi refiner self, claiming a Saintcrest was an unprecedented achievement in the entire Taiyuan Divine Court. His prestige had soared, and numerous Overlords and Sovereigns had come to meet his qi refiner self. However, the supreme being had yet to summon him, so Wu Yuan's qi refiner could only continue waiting.

...

"Congratulations, Astral Monarch Hou Qu."

"Congratulations." The Astral Monarchs gathered around Astral Monarch Hou Qu, offering their congratulations with cupped hands.

"Haha, thank you all," Astral Monarch Hou Qu's face was wreathed in smiles.

Though he had previously earned Sovereign Kua Chi's trust, he was not the chief Astral Monarch. Sovereign Kua Chi placed the most trust in his group of Astral Monarch disciples, especially Astral Monarch Xuan Yun.

On the other hand, Sovereign Kua Chi was merely an ordinary Sovereign. The resources at his disposal were ultimately limited, making it difficult to aid in his cultivation and breakthroughs.

But Wu Yuan was clearly different. At the very least, just moments ago, Wu Yuan had already allocated resources worth roughly a high-grade Dao Instrument to the construction of the Yuan Realm and instructed him to manage this project - this was trust.

"Everyone. From today onwards, we are all members of the Yuan Realm," Astral Monarch Hou Qu said solemnly. "I'm sure you're all aware that the Sovereign has obtained the title of Saintcrest Prodigy, and is said to be among the strongest of the hundred-odd Saintcrest Prodigies in history.

“Throughout the long ages of the endless megaverse, over half of the peerless geniuses who claimed Saintcrests went on to become Overlords.

“I'm sure you all understand what this means," Astral Monarch Hou Qu said. "Serve the Sovereign well, and there will be many opportunities and benefits for you in the future. Reaching late-stage Astral Monarch or even quasi-Sovereign strength will not just be a dream.

“In fact, should any of you render great contributions, breaking through to the Sovereign phase is not out of reach.

“However, if I learn that anyone dares to pay lip service while secretly disobeying the Sovereign's orders, don't blame me for being merciless," Astral Monarch Hou Qu said sternly.

"Understood," the many Astral Monarchs replied in unison, Astral Monarch Long Bei being no exception.

In the past, due to his status as an Astral Monarch of Space, Astral Monarch Hou Qu's standing among the tens of thousands of Astral Monarchs in the eldritch world was quite high, but he could only be said to rank near the top.

But now, he had Wu Yuan as his backer. In terms of strength and status, Astral Monarch Hou Qu would rank in the top ten among the many Astral Monarchs of the eldritch world.

...

Nearly ten days had passed since the end of the Megaverse Crossroads.

Wu Yuan's body refiner self remained aboard the battleship, having yet to reach the Ling Jiang Universe.

In the Taiyuan True Realm, invisible barriers enveloped the vast Taiyuan Island.

At the core of the island, amidst a cluster of halls, a figure in white robes flew out of a hall, arriving in the void outside. He bowed slightly in greeting: "Overlord Xin Ya."

Not far away stood an imposing figure shrouded in black mist.

"Ming Jian, didn't I tell you last time that there's no need to bow when you see me?" Overlord Xin Ya's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"Etiquette must not be neglected." Wu Yuan smiled and said, "When I reach the Overlord level someday, I'll stop bowing to you."

"Haha, very well. Then I look forward to that day," Overlord Xin Ya said with a smile. The more he looked at Wu Yuan, the more he liked him.

Since Wu Yuan claimed a Saintcrest, the attitude of this group of Overlords in the divine court headquarters had changed completely. Overlord Xin Ya, in particular, knew of Wu Yuan's two true selves and naturally regarded him even more highly.

"Come, let's go see the True Saint," said Overlord Xin Ya.

"Mm." Wu Yuan nodded lightly.

Hum~

The surrounding space distorted as invisible forces enveloped Wu Yuan, the spatial dimensions constantly shifting.

Having an audience with the supreme being usually required entering the Spacetime Intersection Layer, so it was necessary for an Overlord to escort him. If Wu Yuan could step into the Spacetime Intersection Layer himself, there would be no need to report to Overlord Xin Ya as he could reach Taiyuan Hall directly.

Before long, Overlord Xin Ya had brought Wu Yuan to Taiyuan Hall. Outside the hall stood statue after statue of Sovereigns in myriad postures, all incredibly lifelike.

Even with the passing of each samsara cycle of heaven and earth, their bodies remained eternally unchanged.

Tens of thousands of Sovereigns.

Wu Yuan sighed inwardly.

So what if one becomes a Sovereign or Overlord? Their so-called strength is merely limited to sempiternal life.

Only by becoming supreme and eternal can one truly grasp one’s destiny and escape the suffering of samsara.

Wu Yuan thought silently.

Each time he came to Taiyuan Hall, Wu Yuan gained new insights. Perhaps this was a reason why True Saint Taiyuan placed so many fallen bodies of Overlord and Sovereign here - to warn the powerhouses under his command.

The Spacetime Dao Master and Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu both said I must achieve eternity before I have a chance to see them again.

Wu Yuan mused.

In their eyes, only those who attain eternity are truly worthy of their attention.

What use was becoming an Overlord? One would still perish in the end.

Walking through the corridor, they arrived at the main hall. This time, Wu Yuan was not made to wait.

An extremely gaunt figure in white robes stood in the hall, his eyes dark and unfathomable, as if containing a vast universe.

Where he stood, he seemed to be the ultimate end and first beginning of all things. All Daos and Laws appeared to converge and unify in the white-robed figure.

However, Wu Yuan still could not sense any karma from him, as if he existed outside of endless spacetime.

"True Saint." Wu Yuan bowed respectfully.