Chapter 972: War Summons, Inter-Saintdom War (2)

"There's no need," Wu Yuan said with a smile.

"Everyone, the Overlords are already aware that my true self would venture here," Wu Yuan explained. "I have my reasons for coming here, but it’s not convenient to share them.

“Though the Immortal Court will dispatch many powerhouses to kill me, the probability of them sending Overlords is low," Wu Yuan said with a slight smile. "The Immortal Court doesn't have many Overlords, and the environment of the Dao Realm isn't favorable to them.

“Even in the worst-case scenario," Wu Yuan continued, "it would take thousands of years for the Immortal Court Overlords to reach the Well of Life. There's no rush."

His words left Sovereign Xiang Yun and the others speechless. If Wu Yuan himself was so calm, they felt it wasn't their place to keep insisting.

"Even without Overlords, what if a group of eighth-stage or ninth-stage Sovereigns arrives?" Sovereign Feng Huang couldn't help but ask.

Seventh-stage Sovereigns made up the majority of late-stage Sovereigns, about ninety percent of them.

Those who could reach eighth-stage or ninth-stage Sovereign combat power? The proportion was very small, and they were all super powerhouses dominating their respective regions. An example was Sovereign Qing Ling, whose true self possessed eighth-stage Sovereign combat power, allowing him to rule over a macrocosm free and unfettered.

However, even though the proportion of such super powerhouses was small, among the tens of thousands of Sovereign powerhouses in the Immortal Court’s Long Shan Saintdom, their total number was not insignificant.

"Ninth-stage Sovereign powerhouses?" A glint flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes before he smiled and said, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Ninth-stage Sovereign powerhouses were undoubtedly formidable. But for Wu Yuan whose true self and ether body could join forces, if forced into a life-or-death battle, the outcome would be uncertain.

"Everyone, I need to trouble you one last time to escort me deeper into the Well of Life. It will only take half a day of your time." Wu Yuan requested with a smile.

"No problem."

"Deeper into the Well of Life? That's fine."

"Brother Wu Yuan, your movement technique is excellent. Why don't you store us in your grotto-heaven? If we encounter enemies, you can release us then." The four Sovereigns all spoke up in quick succession.

They were worried about Wu Yuan's true self perishing, but they had already said what needed to be said. Since Wu Yuan still wouldn't listen, they couldn't do anything more. But if it only took half a day to escort him, they didn't mind.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan waved his hand, storing the four great Sovereigns in his grotto-heaven. Then, transforming into a streak of light, he continued deeper into the Well of Life.

...

This battle began swiftly and ended just as quickly, but the impact it caused was only beginning to unfold.

"What?"

"Eldritch Court and Immortal Court powerhouses battled in the Well of Life, and six Sovereigns from the Immortal Court perished?"

"That's right, even Sovereign You Hong died."

"It was Wu Yuan who did it. That mysterious Supreme Astral Monarch was indeed him! During the battle, he unleashed seventh-stage Sovereign combat power, and he's just an Astral Monarch!"

"The key is, during the battle, we learned that his true self is also venturing on this expedition."

"What a prodigy. How could an Astral Monarch reach such a level of strength? And he dares let his true self venture out?"

"A madman, a madman with heaven-shaking talent." News of this battle spread rapidly among various Saintdoms from the nine Sovereigns who spectated the battle.

A wave of commotion swept through as tens of thousands of Sovereigns from various Saintdoms discussed the matter.

Sovereign You Hong's demise? Not important! For the various Saintdoms, if a late-stage Sovereign powerhouse's true self perished, it would be considered significant. But merely the fall of a mana body? A minor matter. Even the fact that she lost the Heavenly Ennead Chains wasn't important; after all, it wasn't a Xiantian artifact.

The two things that caught the attention and sparked discussions among countless Sovereigns were:

First, Wu Yuan, this legendary genius from the Eldritch Court, could unleash late-stage Sovereign power as an Astral Monarch. How terrifying was that?

Second, his true self was embarking on this risky expedition?

...

In the Long Shan Universe, at the headquarters of the Demon Moon Temple, within a majestic temple.

"Wu Yuan said he didn't bring a Xiantian artifact? Is that true or false? Interesting," mused a massive True Dragon with a golden head, coiled upon its throne. It gazed at a distant light screen, which displayed Wu Yuan's words.

It muttered to itself, "So many techniques, he really does resemble a Matter Sovereign. But eternity is singular. How did he achieve it? I haven't heard of the Eldritch Court possessing such an extraordinary method."

As an Overlord who occasionally ventured into the cosmic sea, it possessed immense power and knowledge. It had encountered many powerhouses on the path of matter. However, pure Matter Sovereigns had many shortcomings. How could Wu Yuan cultivate both paths so proficiently?

Thus, this massive True Dragon was filled with confusion: "Or is he not a Matter Sovereign at all, but rather using some extraordinary treasure? A secret art? Bestowed by an Eldritch Progenitor?"

It couldn't figure it out.

"Well, the Eldritch Court has many Eldritch Progenitors, and the eternal beings have unfathomable methods. Perhaps there are ways I'm unaware of," the True Dragon Overlord shook its head. "This Wu Yuan, even if he's using a Xiantian artifact to achieve such power, it's still extraordinary. The Eldritch Court will surely pay close attention and come to his rescue.

“Now, the Immortal Court will likely throw everything they have for a chance to kill his true self. It's not worth the risk for me to get involved."

If it was just Wu Yuan's ether body, and he clearly possessed a Xiantian artifact, it wouldn't mind sending its own ether body to attempt an assassination.

But when considering the potential risks of trying to kill Wu Yuan's true self, it began to have second thoughts.

In fact, throughout the Long Shan Universe, the Overlords of various Saintdoms had successively received the news.

Some Overlords' mana and ether bodies were occupied, so they merely understood the general situation before paying it no further attention.

Some Overlords, though coveting the Xiantian artifact, ultimately gave up after careful consideration. For many Overlords, incurring the hatred of the Eldritch Court for a single Xiantian artifact wasn't worth it.

However, there were also Overlords willing to take the risk.

"A Xiantian artifact? Hmph! I've cultivated for eons, becoming an Overlord. But until now, I’ve yet to acquire a Xiantian artifact. Meanwhile, some little Astral Monarch brat has one?"

In a vast mountain range suspended in an endless void, a towering figure clad in black robes sat upon a throne. Atop the twelve divine pillars on either side, raging flames burned.

"The Eldritch Court? If I seize the Xiantian artifact, my true self will just never enter the cosmic sea again at worst. No matter how furious the Eldritch Progenitors become, would they really be willing to touch the River water?

“Within the River, I fear no Eternal." This Overlord dispatched its mana body, secretly heading towards the Creation Dao Realm.

Fortune favors the bold!

Not every Overlord possessed a Xiantian artifact, and even those who did usually only had one or two. Many Overlords coveted Xiantian artifacts. For them, each additional Xiantian artifact would enable their battle prowess to skyrocket.

...

In the Long Shan Universe, most Saintdoms merely paid attention to this matter, content to watch the Eldritch Court and Immortal Court clash, but had no intention of getting involved.

However, when this news spread within the Immortal Court’s Long Shan Saintdom, it sparked a complete uproar.

After some deliberation, the Overlords of the Immortal Court’s Long Shan Saintdom immediately made public the reason behind this operation and issued another order—a war summons to kill Wu Yuan's true self.

Soon, the entire Immortal Court Long Shan Saintdom was a hive of activity.

Top factions like the Eldritch Court and Immortal Court generally respected their subordinate Sovereigns, rarely restricting them and allowing powerhouses to roam freely most of the time. Occasionally, special operations would take place, but participation wasn’t compulsory.

However, there were also some special situations, roughly divided into three levels—mobilization tasks, war summons, and Saintdom general mobilization.

For instance, the previous mission to verify Wu Yuan's identity was a mobilization task. They recruited over a hundred Sovereigns for the mission, but those unwilling to take part were not forced to. The vast majority of Saintdom missions were mobilization tasks, differing only in the number of Sovereigns mobilized.

However, the issuance of a war summons carried an entirely different significance. It not only mobilized a large number of Sovereigns but was also a direct order to the many Sovereigns on duty. Participation for those who were on duty in this rotation was mandatory, as this was no ordinary assignment—it was war! A war between Saintdoms!

"War summons have been issued to the six thousand Sovereigns on duty for the past ten million years. All must report within two days, divided into thirty squadrons. They are to enter the Creation Dao Realm from multiple entry points. Each squadron must consist of at least ten late-stage Sovereign powerhouses, with at least one who comprehends the Great Dao of Spacetime.

“Furthermore, spread the call to arms to our hundred thousand Saintdom Sovereigns. Any willing to join the war may apply, and the Saintdom will assign them to appropriate squadrons. Independent participation is also permitted. Intelligence will be shared!

“Rewards: Upon slaying the mana or ether bodies of Eldritch Court Sovereigns, the usual rewards apply.

“Special reward: Upon slaying Wu Yuan's true self, all captured treasures may be kept. The Saintdom will additionally award one Xiantian artifact." The Immortal Court's Long Shan Saintdom's orders were transmitted directly to every Sovereign in the Saintdom.

Clearly, the highest echelons of the Immortal Court had reached a consensus—they would spare no effort to annihilate Wu Yuan's true self in the Creation Dao Realm.

"Ha! I'll join the battle!"

"A large-scale war... The last time we had such a massive conflict with the Eldritch Court was over a hundred million years ago."

"That last great war erupted over a disputed macrocosm, escalating until it became an all-out Saintdom war. But this time, it's all because of some little Astral Monarch?"

"Little? That's a future Overlord we're talking about. He's already at late-stage Sovereign strength!"

"A Xiantian artifact! In normal circumstances, even risking our lives on adventures, we'd have no hope of obtaining one."

"We need only slay Wu Yuan's true self to claim a Xiantian artifact." Countless Sovereigns of the Immortal Court's Long Shan Saintdom buzzed with excitement, discussing eagerly.

"I'm in!"

"A golden opportunity to seize a Xiantian artifact!"

"A war like this comes once in a hundred million years—how could I possibly miss it?" After a brief moment of consideration, multitudes of Immortal Court Sovereigns swiftly chose to join the fray.

War presented not only a chance to gain merits but also an opportunity to break through one's bottlenecks through the crucible of battle.

Ten thousand, fifteen thousand, twenty thousand... The number of Immortal Court Sovereigns signing up for battle skyrocketed. In a short time, over a thousand Sovereigns had already formed several massive squadrons. Then, they set off for the Creation Dao Realm.

Unlike the previous small-scale operation, a war of this magnitude could no longer be concealed from other Saintdoms. The Immortal Court hadn't even tried to keep it secret.

Swiftly, various Saintdoms across the Long Shan Universe learned of the situation. The Eldritch Court's Long Shan Saintdom was among the first to know, and they immediately responded.

"War summons! This war in the Creation Dao Realm is not to rescue Wu Yuan, but for vengeance! We shall exact revenge upon the Immortal Court and demonstrate the might of our Eldritch Court.

“Summon the five thousand Sovereigns on duty. Additionally, all other Saintdom Sovereigns may volunteer to participate." The highest echelons of the Eldritch Court's Long Shan Saintdom issued their own call to arms without delay. Vast numbers of Eldritch Court Sovereigns began to gather.

When news of the two great Saintdoms issuing war summons reached the various Saintdoms across the Long Shan Universe, all were left dumbfounded. None had anticipated that the situation would escalate to such extremes. In such a short time, Wu Yuan had inadvertently triggered a massive war between two great Saintdoms.

The impending clash of tens of thousands of Sovereigns promised to be incredibly brutal. News of the erupting war of Saintdoms spread at an astonishing pace throughout the various universes.