Chapter 954: One Who Reaches The Shore Is No Longer A Fish (1)

"Brother Ming Jian, though you're unwilling to rename the immortal world, I'll still follow the usual custom and allocate a hundred immortal nations to your direct governance. The Astral Monarchs of these domains will all be under your command," Sovereign Heng Yang said.

That fact that Wu Yuan was not seeking to usurp his position as leader of the immortal world had already delighted him beyond measure, so he was naturally courteous.

Although he, a mid-stage Sovereign, could hold the position of leader of an immortal world, it was due to the might of the Taiyuan Divine Court and the deterrent force that was Sovereign Bei You, a Sovereign of Space. But he had expended much effort to ensure the prosperity of the Eternal Sun Immortal World.

"Alright," Wu Yuan said, not standing on ceremony.

The Taiyuan Divine Court was different from the Eldritch Court. As one of the two greatest factions in the megaverse, the Eldritch Court possessed more treasures and secret arts, with powerhouses as numerous as clouds. Thus, their internal regulations were stricter, demands on Sovereigns harsher, and degree of control higher.

The Taiyuan Divine Court could provide relatively fewer treasures and secret arts, but was more lenient in other aspects, such as territory. A Sovereign could directly govern at least twenty immortal nations.

For a late-stage Sovereign like Wu Yuan's qi refiner self, he could obtain a hundred immortal nations.

"Do you have any requirements regarding the location of the territories?" asked Sovereign Heng Yang.

"I’ll just take the Silvermist Immortal Nation along with the hundred immortal nations surrounding it," Wu Yuan said casually.

The Summerpeak lineage was already taken care of by his body refiner self, so ‘Ming Jian’ didn't need to manage it further. Thus, the next karmic debt he owed was to the Dragon Star Immortal Sect. Wu Yuan still remembered the training provided by the Dragon Star Immortal Sect and Master Dong Yang.

Master Dong Yang has always been very concerned about the Dragon Star Immortal Sect.

Wu Yuan thought to himself.

But Master likely won't be able to break through to Sovereign for some time, so I'll manage it on his behalf for now.

In Wu Yuan's plan, when High Immortal Dong Yang broke through in the future, he would hand over the Silvermist Immortal Nation to his master.

"Alright. That area of territory doesn't overlap with Zhen Guang and Zhu Yue’s domains," Sovereign Heng Yang nodded, knowing the general range of the territory Wu Yuan was referring to.

Sovereigns like Zhen Guang and Zhu Yue each governed twenty immortal nations.

"Brother Ming Jian, will you establish your stronghold next to ours, or?" asked Sovereign Heng Yang.

Sovereign Zhen Guang and Sovereign Zhu Yue also looked over.

This was a crucial question. The Eternal Sun Immortal World actually had two cores—one was the Bei You Realm, and the other was the immortal world headquarters.

The so-called immortal world headquarters was nothing special. They simply chose an immortal nation as the core, then expended great effort to set up layers upon layers of arrays. As years passed, its defensive capabilities would naturally continue to rise.

"No. I'll be like Grandmaster, opening up a new world in the void," Wu Yuan said calmly. "It will also serve as the future headquarters for the Greenridge lineage of the divine court."

A Sovereign of Space didn't have the ability to open up a world outside a macrocosm. But opening up a separate world within a macrocosm wasn't difficult. Grandmaster Bei You could do it, and Wu Yuan believed his mana was even more abundant, so there was no reason he couldn't do it.

"That works too." Sovereign Heng Yang's eyes lit up as he said, "Then we'll be brazen and move the immortal world's core there as well when the time comes."

"Indeed."

"We shall naturally follow Sovereign Ming Jian," Sovereign Zhen Guang and Sovereign Zhu Yue also chimed in.

"That's fine, we can look out for each other," Wu Yuan said with a smile. He understood the Sovereigns' thoughts.

What Sovereign-level powerhouses feared most was being ambushed by other powerhouses, which was why having a stronghold was important.

The strongholds set up by Sovereign Heng Yang and the others could resist the invasion of late-stage Sovereigns without difficulty, but what if dozens of Sovereigns joined forces? It would certainly be destroyed. The probability was low, but theoretically possible.

Wu Yuan's qi refiner self was different. His combat power was already at the late-stage Sovereign level, and he was also a Sovereign of Space and a qi refiner, so he should logically excel at setting up arrays and spatial traps. In the future, after he expended effort to set up his stronghold, even Overlords often wouldn't dare to break in, let alone late-stage Sovereigns. It was basically impregnable.

This was also the fundamental reason why Sovereign Heng Yang was willing to make Wu Yuan the leader earlier—the benefits!

With Wu Yuan as the leader, at least for now, he wouldn't have to worry about the Eldritch Court or Immortal Court sending a large group of Sovereigns to launch a surprise attack one day.

Most foreign Sovereigns coming to the Greenridge Macrocosm would be unable to exert fourth-stage Sovereign combat power.

Once Wu Yuan set up his stronghold, forget dozens of Sovereigns joining forces – even if hundreds of Sovereigns broke in, they would simply be sending themselves to their deaths.

"Brother Ming Jian, your advancement to the Sovereign phase is a prosperous event for the immortal world," Sovereign Heng Yang said with a smile. "When will you hold the celebration? At that time, we could invite Sovereigns from other branches of the divine court."

Celebration?

"Let's wait until I've opened up a new world before holding it," Wu Yuan said. "Probably in a few thousand years."

"Alright," Sovereign Heng Yang nodded. "Then we'll take our leave first."

Soon, the three Sovereigns departed. Only Wu Yuan and Sovereign Bei You remained.

"Ming Jian, the combat power you displayed this time really frightened them," Sovereign Bei You couldn't help but say.

"It was also luck," Wu Yuan said with a smile.

"Strength has nothing to do with luck," Sovereign Bei You shook his head and smiled. "It's good though, with your strength, I can rest easy. Now there's nothing left for me to guide you on."

"Grandmaster, you will always be this disciple's grandmaster," Wu Yuan said solemnly.

"Haha," Sovereign Bei You laughed heartily, feeling a warmth spread through his heart.

"Ming Jian, you mentioned opening up a separate world earlier?" Sovereign Bei You said. "When I opened up the Bei You Realm back then, I had to make multiple attempts. I do have some insights that you can reference."

As he spoke, Sovereign Bei You flipped his palm, and an immortal slip appeared above it, drifting towards Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan reached out to receive it. "Thank you, Grandmaster."

"No need for thanks, it's just some methods for applying the Law of Space. You could easily figure it out yourself if you spent more time on it," Sovereign Bei You said.

The two conversed for a while longer. Then Wu Yuan bid farewell to Sovereign Bei You, and his qi refiner self set out on the return journey to the Silvermist Immortal Nation.

His mana body, meanwhile, headed for the divine court headquarters.

…

In the Taiyuan Voidrealm was an empty and vast plane opened by Overlord Xin Ya.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan appeared out of thin air within the plane. From afar, he saw that faint figure shrouded in black mist in the void.

He had already broken through to become a Sovereign, and in theory there should no longer be any gap in immortal root, Yuan Soul, and various other aspects between himself and an Overlord. But even within the voidrealm, Wu Yuan could still sense the terrifying nature of an Overlord, that faint trace of eternal aura.

Each time Overlord Xin Ya looked at him, it gave him the illusion of being a fish gazed upon by someone on shore. Of course, it was merely an illusion. Wu Yuan also understood the reason—an Overlord was someone who had comprehended a Great Dao to near completion, almost able to imprint their own aura within the essence of a Great Dao. Naturally, they would carry a trace of eternal aura.

"Overlord," Wu Yuan approached.

"Defeating Sovereign Heng Yang without relying on Xiantian artifacts… You’re stronger than I had anticipated," Overlord Xin Ya said with a smile.

Wu Yuan smiled, choosing not to explain.

Those at the Overlord level were extremely knowledgeable. From just a few words, they could deduce many secrets. So the more he explained, the more he would reveal. It was better to say nothing.

"With your strength, it shouldn’t be a problem to share this information with you," Overlord Xin Ya did not dwell further on this topic. "This is intelligence gathered by the divine court on various exploration sites throughout the megaverse."

He raised his hand and lightly pointed at Wu Yuan.

Whoosh~

Instantly, a large quantity of data began to appear in Wu Yuan's mind.

Level three exploration sites? Level one exploration sites? Immutable relic sites?

Wu Yuan received the vast amount of information.

He quickly understood.

The megaverse was vast and filled with endless unknowns. As heaven and earth evolved, countless dangerous places were born within and outside the universe.

But where there was danger, there was also opportunity. Many rare treasures and ultimate treasures originated from these sites.

The various Saintdoms had their own classifications for these exploration sites, generally divided into four levels based on the degree of danger.

Astral Monarchs were at risk of perishing at level four exploration sites.

Ordinary Sovereigns were at risk of perishing at level three exploration sites.

Late-stage Sovereigns were at risk of perishing at level two exploration sites.

Overlords were at risk of perishing at level one exploration sites.

And beyond the many naturally created exploration sites, there was another special type of exploration site—immutable relic sites. Also known as eternal relic sites.

Normal exploration sites would be destroyed with the samsara cycle of heaven and earth, only to be created anew in the next cycle. But immutable relic sites truly existed eternally, unaffected even by the changing of heaven and earth's cycles. For example, the Creation Dao Realm.

According to the intelligence, basically all immutable relic sites were left behind by supreme existences.

"The Eldritch Court's intelligence is certainly more abundant, after all, they have a hundred times more powerhouses than our Taiyuan Divine Court," Overlord Xin Ya said. "However, the intelligence of our divine court's powerhouses still has some unique insights."

"Thank you, Overlord," Wu Yuan said sincerely.

His body refiner self had not yet become a Sovereign, so he lacked the authority to access much intelligence.

"Many rare treasures and ultimate treasures spawn in various exploration sites. When adventuring, act within your means," Overlord Xin Ya said. "Additionally, I have two pieces of advice for you. First, do not venture recklessly into immutable relic sites. Second, do not enter the cosmic sea before possessing the strength of an Overlord."

Wu Yuan was taken aback.

"Don't understand? The natural exploration sites within the universe are mostly level two or level three exploration sites, with limited danger," Overlord Xin Ya smiled. "Sovereigns are already the highest level of beings under the workings of the universe, so these natural exploration sites can at most destroy mana bodies and ether bodies, but can hardly affect the true self.

“Immutable relic sites are different. The measures left behind by supreme beings are unfathomable. Perhaps their attacks could follow the connection between mana or ether bodies to annihilate the true self."

Wu Yuan's heart trembled at the thought.

"The cosmic sea follows the same principle. The universe is essentially a cradle that nurtures life, restricted by heaven and earth's rules. But in the cosmic sea's exploration sites, any and all dangers could potentially appear." Overlord Xin Ya said, "Supreme beings face no restraints in the cosmic sea."

No restraints? A flicker of confusion passed through Wu Yuan's eyes. What did that mean?

"Living supreme beings have already come ashore and are no longer fish. They rarely wade into the water to kill fish in the river, as there's a possibility of drowning," Overlord Xin Ya suddenly said. "But fallen supreme beings might be different."

Wu Yuan was startled. Those who came ashore are not fish? Overlord Xin Ya's words were vague, but Wu Yuan sensed that they held some secrets.

"That's all I'll say for now," Overlord Xin Ya smiled. "Also, having broken through to Sovereign, you have been granted additional resources as per the True Saint's instructions. This bestowal will also be the last.

“You may check your gift in the divine court headquarters' treasury," Overlord Xin Ya said. "Alright, you may go. Come see me again if anything arises."

"Understood," Wu Yuan nodded, swiftly departing from this plane.

His Dao comprehension level isn't high, yet he possesses such power without using Xiantian artifacts? Ming Jian likely still harbors great secrets.

Overlord Xin Ya mused inwardly as he watched Wu Yuan leave.

I wonder if he will come ashore.

Overlord Xin Ya gently closed his eyes. In his perception, this vast and boundless voidrealm became a bridge connecting the river and the shore at the far end.

Boom!

Overlord Xin Ya's eyes suddenly snapped open, his gaze piercing through the voidrealm. He faintly glimpsed that endless river of space and time.

Wu Yuan perceived himself as a behemoth in the water, struggling to leave but unable to succeed.

Meanwhile, Overlord Xin Ya no longer perceived himself as a fish in the water, but more like a boat on the river, floating atop the river, drifting with the current. Qualified to look down upon the fish in the water, able to see the people on shore, yet unable to find the port to go ashore.

Ah, Ming Jian. If you come ashore one day, could you keep the port open a bit longer?