Chapter 933: The Limit Of An Astral Monarch (1)

Ordinary High Deities could forge their deity bodies after passing the seventh Immortal Tribulation, but that merely meant advancing to the most basic first-stage Archdeity phase.

Cultivating from first-stage Archdeity to ninth-stage Archdeity required not only continuous breakthroughs in Dao comprehension, but also vast lengths of time to temper one's deity body.

Those who passed the ninth Immortal Tribulation could forge a seventh-stage deity body at least with the corresponding vital ether, saving tremendous effort and time.

And those who fully comprehended an Intermediate Law could invoke the Dao essence of that Intermediate Law to forge an Astral Monarch body directly.

Those who fully comprehended a Greater Law could ascend to the heavens in a single step, directly forging a Sovereign body.

Only by fully comprehending a particular Law could one invoke its Dao essence to forge a deity body.

Therefore, even those monstrous prodigies who comprehended Great Daos could not directly become Sovereigns without fully grasping a Greater Law, even if they reached the Dao Field stage.

Boom!

Wu Yuan sat in the lotus position in the void, his vital aura surging uncontrollably within his internal shambhala.

The essence of the Celestial Body Dao manifested, vast and imposing. Endless essence power transformed Wu Yuan's vital ether ceaselessly from the High Eldritch level into Apotheosis-level Astral Monarch ether.

Astral Monarchs were different from Archdeities and Archimmortals. The immortal bodies and deity bodies of Archimmortals and Archdeities were imperfect due to the weakness of the Dao essence of Lesser Laws, requiring constant refinement. But Astral Monarchs could directly forge flawless deity bodies using the Dao essence of Intermediate Laws.

Terms like first-stage Astral Monarch or ninth-stage Astral Monarch merely referred to combat power. The capacity and quality of an Astral Monarch's mana and ether was solely dictated by their immortal root.

So this is Apotheosis-level Astral Monarch ether? Truly formidable! It's approaching the power of my physical body.

Wu Yuan marveled at the surging ether now flowing through his body. Its potency was over ten thousand times greater than before.

An Astral Monarch's mana and ether were divided into three major levels: base, first, and Apotheosis. They represented an individual with a second-degree immortal root, first-degree immortal root, and Apotheosis root respectively.

The power of Apotheosis-level Astral Monarch mana is a hundredfold stronger than base-level Astral Monarch mana.

Wu Yuan's eyes brimmed with excitement.

Previously on the Megaverse Crossroads, Wu Yuan barely unleashed base-level Astral Monarch mana after employing the final part of ‘Creation Saint Prohibition’, and he struggled to maintain it for long. But now?

Even if my pre-breakthrough self went all out, I'd likely be killed by a single punch from my current self.

Wu Yuan grinned. They were on entirely different levels.

A genius was still just a genius. Even with heaven-shaking Dao comprehension, without a solid foundation, their overall strength fell far short.

The current Wu Yuan could now be called a powerhouse throughout the entire Ling Jiang Universe.

Internal shambhala.

Wu Yuan carefully sensed his internal shambhala, which was rapidly expanding under the influence of the Dao’s essence.

Land, oceans, mountains, rivers, canyons, wilderness, the sun and moon above the world, and a sky full of stars... a complete, vast and true world was swiftly taking form.

The physical realm was just one aspect. Countless plants sprang into existence under Wu Yuan's guidance, and even great populations of lifeforms were generated.

Other body refiner Astral Monarch powerhouses had to transplant many lifeforms from the external world into their internal realms. But for Wu Yuan? Having comprehended the Creation Dao Field to such a level, he had already reached the stage of creating life with a mere thought, eliminating that need entirely.

However, creating life that can reproduce freely, evolve, and cultivate on its own is still extremely difficult.

Wu Yuan observed the lifeforms emerging in his internal world.

Creating life wasn't too challenging for powerhouses who comprehended the Creation Great Dao and fully grasped the Law of Life. However, there were different levels of life, and this didn't just refer to power, but inner spiritual resonance.

The ability to reproduce freely, evolve continuously with the external environment, and cultivate to break through life's limits.

Wu Yuan pondered silently.

These were the three levels, with higher levels representing greater ultimate potential.

To Wu Yuan's knowledge, some races in the vast megaverse were innately extremely powerful, but their strength all stemmed from bloodlines - the purer the bloodline, the stronger they were. Such families seemed formidable, but their bloodlines were also shackles, greatly limiting their future.

In contrast, the human race seems generally weak, yet possesses nearly limitless potential.

Wu Yuan mused.

This is also why the Eldritch Court ultimately dominated heaven and earth.

In the primordial era, when myriad races vied for supremacy, it was humanity that rose up, shocking the vast megaverse and becoming the true rulers. The term "eldritch" referred to those who stood tall amidst heaven and earth, signifying the powerful.

The lifeforms Wu Yuan could create now were capable of reproduction and generally quite strong - he could easily create High Deity-level beings. On the other hand, they lacked the ability to evolve. Born as High Deities, they would die as High Deities.

These aren't true lifeforms, merely a kind of conscious weapon.

Wu Yuan sighed inwardly as he withdrew his perception.

As his internal shambhala swiftly expanded beyond one billion li, Wu Yuan also created countless lifeforms within it, allowing him to contemplate the reproduction of life and the operation of the world.

Body refiners are somewhat inferior to qi refiners in perceiving their destiny in heaven and earth.

Wu Yuan smiled faintly.

However, they gain an internal world, allowing better observation and comprehension of countless lifeforms.

𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The two major cultivation systems each had their advantages and disadvantages.

…

The breakthrough of Wu Yuan's body refiner self went unnoticed, the entire process lasting nearly a month. Finally, the transformation of his internal world was complete, and his vital ether had fully transformed.

In the meditation chamber of his hall.

At last, the transformation is complete.

Wu Yuan sat bare-chested, revealing a physique like steel and iron. An aura of domineering power spread outward. He resembled a giant beast poised to tear apart heaven and earth.

My current Apotheosis-level Astral Monarch mana is only ten times weaker than first-level Sovereign mana.

Wu Yuan carefully assessed.

Astral Monarch mana was divided into three grades. Sovereign mana was only divided into two grades, with even the weakest being first-level mana.

In terms of Dao comprehension, I'm at the second-level Creation Dao Field stage. Overall, I've already reached the threshold of the Sovereign level.

Wu Yuan pondered.

From the Astral Monarch phase to the Sovereign phase, the difference in mana/ether was often a hundredfold. Adding Dao comprehension, the disparity in strength exceeded ten thousandfold.

As monstrous a prodigy as Wu Yuan was, relying solely on the body refining path of the path of Laws, he could now only match the weakest Sovereigns.

However, if I add the physical strength gained from the path of matter, there aren’t many Sovereigns I’ll need to fear.

Wu Yuan mused.

His physical power was actually even more terrifying than his ether. But Wu Yuan's physical strength had already reached the limits to which it could be currently raised via the profundities of matter. Furthermore, these profundities were separate from Dao comprehension, causing his physical strength to hit a ceiling. Vital ether, originating from Dao essence, could easily invoke the profundities of the Dao. The two eternal paths, though unable to merge, could be unleashed simultaneously, maximizing Wu Yuan's strength.

Moreover, I can now attempt to wield the two Xiantian artifacts.

He was about to depart for the Long Shan Universe. There, he would no longer be facing geniuses of his generation, but Astral Monarchs and even Sovereigns who had cultivated for billions of years. One could never be too cautious.

Wu Yuan would do all he could to maximize his strength in this short time.

…

In the Myriad River Realm of the Eldritch Court's Ling Jiang Saintdom, hidden within the radiance of the divine tower, was a majestic temple.

Wu Yuan has broken through to Astral Monarch.

Overlord Hou Jue slowly opened her eyes.

He really decided to break through so early?

Overlord Hou Jue shifted her gaze, vaguely observing a hall in another part of the Myriad River Realm.

Other Sovereigns and even Overlords couldn't see it. But as Wu Yuan's guide and direct superior, Overlord Hou Jue had the authority to sense the some changes he was undergoing through the vast array shrouding the Myriad River Realm.

Such a powerful vital aura. An Apotheosis root?

Overlord Hou Jue murmured, only able to vaguely sense a thing or two.

She wasn't too surprised by this. It would be strange if a Saintcrest Prodigy didn't have an Apotheosis root.

An Apotheosis root was incredibly rare among countless mortal lifeforms and even Astral Monarchs, but the proportion was higher among Sovereigns. As for Overlords? They all possessed Apotheosis roots.

Hmm? Something's not right!

Overlord Hou Jue suddenly froze, a hint of astonishment flashing through her eyes.

His vital aura?

After Wu Yuan's breakthrough and transformation, she faintly sensed a second surge of vital aura. It was approaching that of a true Sovereign.

How is this possible?

Overlord Hou Jue could hardly believe it.

He's only an Astral Monarch. An Apotheosis root is already the most perfect foundation.

What was Apotheosis? It meant further breakthroughs were impossible.

Overlord Hou Jue had cultivated for billions of years. Her fame was far-reaching, her knowledge and experience vast, and she was privy to many secrets. But today, Wu Yuan had left her dumbfounded. She found it hard to believe, but the vital aura emanating from Wu Yuan couldn't be faked.

Unfortunately, although Overlord Hou Jue's authority was extremely high, Wu Yuan was in his private hall. She could only sense the situation faintly from afar, unable to observe it as if she were there in person.

Just after breaking through to Astral Monarch, his vital aura is already approaching a Sovereign's?

Overlord Hou Jue pondered.

Once he breaks through to Sovereign in the future, won't his foundation surpass even an Overlord's? His strength would be very close to an Overlord's too.

Overlords represented the pinnacle of Sovereigns and possessed Apotheosis-level Sovereign mana. Thus, if Wu Yuan were to break through in the future, he would be able to rival the Overlords in terms of foundation. [1] The mere thought of it left Overlord Hou Jue sighing in amazement.

No wonder even the Eldritch Progenitors hold him in such high regard. Wu Yuan's potential is even greater than I imagined. Perhaps he's concealing some great secrets.

Overlord Hou Jue mused inwardly.

Every monstrous prodigy had secrets and great opportunities. However, opportunities were merely aids; the key lay in one's ability to turn them into real power.

1. This likely refers to Wu Yuan breaking through to Sovereign on the path of Laws ☜