Chapter 973: The Abyss Region, Azure Origin Armor Unveiled

War erupted within the Long Shan Universe, with other Saintdoms in the Long Shan Universe being the first to receive the news.

"A war between Saintdoms?"

"The Immortal Court issued a war summons first, and the Eldritch Court immediately followed suit? As expected of the Eldritch Court, quite decisive."

"It's been over a hundred million years since a major conflict between the Immortal and Eldritch Courts erupted in the Long Shan Universe. Considering the timing, it’s only natural for one to occur now." The Overlords of various Saintdoms communicated amongst themselves.

Unless it involved the survival of a Saintdom, the Overlords were the de facto rulers of the Saintdoms for most matters, with the supreme beings rarely intervening.

"Who do you think will win this time?"

"Win or lose? It's hard to say. We can only speculate who's more likely to gain the upper hand. The Immortal Court probably has a higher chance of taking the advantage."

"Mm, I agree with that assessment."

"Among the thirteen Saintdoms in our Long Shan Universe, the Immortal Court's Long Shan Saintdom ranks first, with approximately 100,000 Sovereigns under its command. The Eldritch Court's Long Shan Saintdom ranks second, with about 90,000 Sovereigns. There's a gap between them, but it's not insurmountable."

"It will ultimately come down to their execution of power in the real world."

"Indeed. The Creation Dao Realm is vast enough to accommodate tens of thousands of Sovereigns in combat."

Over the long years, each Saintdom had been monitoring and gathering intelligence on other factions, making the approximate combat power of each Saintdom relatively public and transparent. There wasn't much that could be concealed.

"Let's stay out of this war between the Immortal and Eldritch Courts."

"Order the Sovereigns exploring the Dao Realm to withdraw as soon as possible."

"Agreed. For the next hundred thousand years, Sovereigns from our Demon Moon Temple should avoid entering the Creation Dao Realm if possible." After discussion and deliberation, the Overlords of the various Saintdoms issued these orders. The main consensus was non-involvement.

The Immortal Court and Eldritch Court were fighting? Throughout countless samsara cycles of heaven and earth, these two greatest factions had always been locked in frenzied battles. From the eternal beings at the top, to the numerous Overlords and Sovereigns in the middle, down to the countless mortal lives at the bottom - all were constantly engaged in mad slaughter. The accumulated grudges and bloodshed were beyond measure.

...

Within a day, the entire Long Shan Universe was in turmoil, with large numbers of Sovereigns from both Saintdoms pouring into the Creation Dao Realm. However, it would still take these Sovereigns a long time to reach the depths of the Creation Dao Realm. No major battles would erupt in the short term.

In the Creation Dao Realm, in an area relatively deep into the Well of Life, massive celestial bodies over a million or even ten million li in diameter moved at astonishing speeds. With their size and durability, if struck head-on, even Sovereigns might perish if they weren't careful, let alone Astral Monarchs.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Five figures with powerful auras stood on the surface of one of the celestial bodies, moving along its orbit at high speed. By going with the flow, they experienced minimal pressure.

"Brother Wu Yuan, this is as far as we'll accompany you," said Sovereign Feng Huang. "If we go any deeper, even Brother Xiang Yun and I might perish despite our strength."

"Mm. Thank you all for coming this far with me, brothers," Wu Yuan said with a smile and cupped his hands.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The area where they had previously battled Sovereign You Hong and the others was at the periphery of the Well of Life’s core region. Where they stood now was the true core, fraught with dangers. Ordinary Sovereigns, even when seeking essence stone, would usually not venture here. The probability of death was far too high.

The fact that Sovereign Feng Huang, Sovereign Xiang Yun, and the others were willing to accompany him this far was because their combined strength gave them confidence to fight their way back out. If it were Sovereign Wu Gong and Sovereign Bai Zai alone? They might not even be able to leave this place alive. The dangers weren't limited to these visible celestial bodies, but also included lethal traps that lurked in the shadows.

"Us Eldritch Court brothers should naturally help each other," Sovereign Xiang Yun said in a deep voice. "However, Brother Wu Yuan, though I don't know why you need to head to the depths of the Well of Life, please be careful.

“Your self-preservation ability may be extraordinary, but even Overlords aren’t safe there," Sovereign Xiang Yun warned.

"I understand," Wu Yuan nodded.

Though Sovereign Xiang Yun, Sovereign Feng Huang, and the others had their guesses, none of them asked what Wu Yuan's true self intended to do here. Every cultivator had their secrets. If Wu Yuan didn't volunteer the information, they naturally wouldn't pry.

"War has now broken out between the Saintdoms. Though it will take the recruited Sovereigns at least a thousand years to reach here, the entire Dao Realm will likely be in chaos by then," Sovereign Feng Huang said. "Brother Wu Yuan, your true self should leave as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Feng Huang. My true self will depart quickly," Wu Yuan said apologetically. "I've inadvertently drawn you all into this war."

Wu Yuan was quite surprised by the sudden outbreak of war between the Saintdoms. He had anticipated that the exposure of his true self would cause a stir, but he hadn't expected the Immortal Court to react so frantically.

It was foreseeable that at least ten thousand Immortal Court Sovereigns would enter the Dao Realm. Of course, the Eldritch Court would also send a large number of Sovereigns in response.

"Brother Wu Yuan, there's no need for you to feel responsible," Sovereign Xiang Yun grinned. "War was already on the brink of erupting. You were merely the spark that lit the fuse."

"The spark?" Wu Yuan was taken aback.

"Yes. According to the customs of our Eldritch Court and the Immortal Court, a major war tends to break out every hundred million years or so in any given universe," Sovereign Wu Gong said nonchalantly. "It could be over some treasure trove, or a dispute over spacetime territories - those are just pretexts.”

“The reason doesn't matter. What's important is having a great war," Sovereign Feng Huang's eyes flashed with fighting spirit. "After living comfortably for over a hundred million years, it's time for a bloody conflict."

"We'll slaughter those Immortal Court dogs."

"A bunch of scum," Sovereign Xiang Yun and Sovereign Wu Gong also displayed intense battle lust.

This scene startled Wu Yuan inwardly. He realized he may have misjudged the situation. The Eldritch Court Sovereigns seemed to welcome and even look forward to this war between Saintdoms.

Hatred? Bloodlust?

Wu Yuan pondered silently, finding it difficult to discern the true reasons behind their eagerness.

“Very well. Brothers, this is where we part.”

Wu Yuan said with cupped fists. "When I next leave the Dao Realm and visit our Saintdom's headquarters, I must share a drink with you all."

"Haha, excellent. We'll be waiting for that drink from you, Brother Wu Yuan."

"Take care," the Sovereigns were all smiles.

Though they had only known each other for a day, braving life and death together was the quickest way to form close friendships. Moreover, the Eldritch Court's powerhouses were inherently straightforward and united.

...

Whoosh!

After parting ways with Sovereign Xiang Yun, Sovereign Feng Huang, and the others, Wu Yuan continued on alone.

The celestial bodies grew increasingly massive, their movements faster. Three hundred times the speed of light, six hundred times... Even with Wu Yuan's mastery over space, he had to proceed with utmost caution. The slightest mistake could result in getting struck and injured.

Indeed! Even wearing high-grade Dao Instrument armor and being a Matter Sovereign, he would still be wounded if struck by one.

I've encountered two traps already.

Wu Yuan glanced to the side, distancing himself from a certain area. He had detected them in advance and avoided them through his spatial perception.

Hum~

The azure light emanating from Wu Yuan's body spread outward for ten thousand li, and he expanded his perception range to the fullest extent possible. He remained vigilant, not daring to let his guard down for even a moment.

Wu Yuan's flight speed also gradually decreased. At times he clung close to the surfaces of celestial bodies, at others he flew at merely ten times the speed of light.

According to the guidance from the black pagoda, it's in that direction. The feeling is growing stronger.

Wu Yuan gazed into the distant void.

Deep within the Well of Life lay a realm of darkness. The black pagoda within his body continued to vibrate slightly, as if an invisible thread was guiding Wu Yuan along the correct path, preventing him from going astray.

Suddenly, it was as if Wu Yuan had reached some critical boundary.

Hum~

Silently and without warning, a powerful and mysterious force began to pull Wu Yuan downward, causing him to stumble mid-flight. His speed plummeted as his wings fluttered, resisting this force.

Finally, we've arrived

. Wu Yuan stood in the void, resisting the pull from the endless darkness, as if seeking to drag him into a bottomless abyss.

This should be the boundary between the ordinary Core Region and the Abyss Region.

Wu Yuan thought vigilantly.

Those with only early-stage Sovereign strength would likely be unable to resist this force, and would be dragged down.

The Eldritch Court's intelligence archives contained detailed records on the Well of Life. It was divided into many regions, including the Outer Region, Nebula Region, Core Region, and so on, with dangers increasing the deeper one went.

The depths of the Core Region were known as the Abyss Region - a realm of darkness that exerted a powerful suction force. The deeper one went, the more horrifying the force became. Spatial storms and other dangers could emerge as well. Historically, Overlords who had perished in the Well of Life all met their end in the Abyss Region. Named after the Abyss, it implied unfathomable depths.

For those below late-stage Sovereign strength, entering the Abyss Region carries over a 90% chance of death.

For late-stage Sovereigns venturing into the Abyss Region, the death rate is 60%.

For Overlords, the death rate is 20%.

Wu Yuan silently recalled the data from the intelligence archives.

The stronger one was, the lower the probability of death. But even Overlords couldn't guarantee absolute safety.

There shouldn't be any Overlords or other Sovereigns who have ventured this far.

Wu Yuan's gaze swept across the void.

The chances of encountering other powerhouses were very slim.

Though I'm a Matter Sovereign, if I only wore high-grade Dao Instrument armor, my chances of death would still be extremely high.

Wu Yuan gazed down at his armor, which was quite impressive. However, it wasn't enough.

Here, there's no need to worry about information leaks. It's time to employ my trump cards.

Wu Yuan's eyes flashed with a hint of determination.

He had long known the dangers he would face in the Well of Life. The fact that he dared send his true self here meant he had a certain degree of confidence. Beyond the guidance of the black pagoda, Wu Yuan's most crucial asset was his other trump card.

Azure Origin Armor. It's your turn.

Wu Yuan silently intoned, as the high-grade Dao Instrument battle armor on his skin's surface vanished in an instant.

Master! Let us fight!

A series of somewhat childish thoughts were transmitted from Wu Yuan's body, along with a faint sense of joyous exultation.

Boom!

A breastplate, entirely azure in hue with countless mysterious azure Dao patterns etched on its surface, materialized on Wu Yuan's chest. The undisguisable aura of an eternal Dao resonance erupted and diffused outward.

Rumble~

It was like the pressure of a vast world bearing down on him. Even Wu Yuan, a Matter Sovereign, felt his expression change slightly as he endured the immense strain.

And this was merely the beginning.

Clink!

Helmet, face guard, arm guards, gauntlets, breastplate, leg guards... One artifact after another, each emanating an aura of eternal Dao resonance, materialized on Wu Yuan's body. With each additional piece, the pressure Wu Yuan had to withstand surged dramatically.

Heavy! So heavy!

Wu Yuan's eyes were slightly bloodshot as he gritted his teeth.

Endure it! Endure!

He roared inwardly. If he couldn't withstand this pressure, all would be for naught.

Six pieces, eight pieces, twelve pieces... Wu Yuan felt as if his resilient body was on the verge of bursting. It was as if an ordinary mortal had suddenly shouldered a weight of two hundred catties – bearable for a short while, but given enough time, it could truly crush them.

Yet Wu Yuan continued to grit his teeth and persevere, his internal vital ether depleting rapidly as he strove to dispel the fatigue in his physical body.

Clang!

Finally, the last piece, the battle boots, materialized and fully integrated with the other components of the Azure Origin Armor. The armor had completely encased Wu Yuan within, leaving not even the slightest gap. A full fourteen pieces!

As the fourteen Xiantian artifacts subtly connected with each other, forming a united entity, the pressure Wu Yuan had been bearing sharply decreased, reduced by over ninety percent. In its place, he was granted limitless power.

My punch.

Wu Yuan suddenly clenched his fist, and the terrifying power that erupted caused the very space around him to warp slightly. This level of might was absolutely astounding, comparable to when Wu Yuan had wielded the Black Rock Saber earlier.

As Wu Yuan stood in the void, the cascading layers of eternal Dao resonance emanating from him were enough to strike fear into the hearts of countless late-stage Sovereign powerhouses. His sheer aura rivaled that of an Overlord fully unleashing their pressure—perhaps even surpassing it in majesty.

Azure Origin Armor. I’ve finally activated its complete form.

Wu Yuan felt a surge of pride as he peered through the face guard, looking into the distance.

Before, it took a great deal of mental effort to resist this suction force, but now, I can completely ignore it.

It was as if a boulder had suddenly transformed into a mountain, naturally immovable.

The Azure Origin Armor consists of four layers of Dao patterns. Each layer demands extremely deep Dao comprehension and foundational strength to decipher. It wasn't until I became a Matter Sovereign that I could barely activate the first layer.

Wu Yuan inwardly sighed.

And even now, I still can't achieve complete control.

The first layer, if completely activated, allowed the armor to rival the defense of a late-stage body refiner Sovereign.

The second layer, if completely activated, allowed the armor to rival the defense of a body refiner Overlord.

The third layer, if perfectly completely activated, allowed the armor to rival the defense of an Eternal Body.

As for the fourth layer...

The Azure Origin Armor was an extraordinarily powerful Xiantian artifact that granted its user terrifying strength and defensive capabilities.

Wu Yuan could now wield control over the Black Rock Saber and conceal its aura. If he could completely decipher the first layer of Dao patterns, Wu Yuan would be able to conceal the Xiantian artifact aura of the Azure Origin Armor too. Unfortunately, he still couldn't achieve this.

My qi refiner self managed to decipher the two Xiantian artifacts after becoming a Sovereign, as did my body refiner self with the Black Rock Saber.

Wu Yuan mused.

Only the Azure Origin Armor is special, befitting a gift from the Eldritch Progenitor.

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu truly deserves her status as a pillar of the Eldritch Court, standing at the pinnacle even among the many eternal beings.

It was precisely because of the Azure Origin Armor's power that Wu Yuan dared not bring it out casually, only keeping it as a trump card.

Why would he rather reveal the existence of his true self than expose the existence of the Azure Origin Armor?

Revealing my true self would only provoke the Immortal Court to pursue and kill me with all their might, but how many Overlords can the Immortal Court send?

Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

But revealing the Azure Origin Armor?

Once unveiled, to the perceptions of other powerhouses, it would be equivalent to Wu Yuan wielding fourteen Xiantian artifacts simultaneously.

Fourteen Xiantian artifacts? Forget the Immortal Court’s Overlords, Wu Yuan even suspected that the Eldritch Court’s Overlords might be tempted.

Hmm?

Wu Yuan's eyes narrowed.

Overlord Ming Zhun wants to speak with me?