Chapter 976: I Shall Rival The Heavenly Imperator (2)

"This junior understands now," Wu Yuan nodded, comprehending the situation.

The Overlords from various branches of the Eldritch Court's Saintdoms had drawn their conclusions, which weren't entirely wrong. But they hadn't realized that Wu Yuan was, in fact, a Matter Sovereign.

However, putting himself in their shoes, Wu Yuan understood that if he were in the position of those Overlords, he would likely feel discontented as well.

Unlike Sovereigns, most Overlords had a clear understanding of their own capabilities. These Overlords had climbed to the pinnacle of sempiternal life, just a step away from eternal existence. They were all extremely confident, and none would consider their talent or potential inferior to Wu Yuan's.

Being a Saintcrest Prodigy meant little; not all Saintcrest Prodigies became Overlords.

Moreover, even Overlord Hou Jue, who appeared amiable, might harbor ulterior motives.

"Xiantian artifacts found in the universe primarily come from three sources," Overlord Hou Jue continued.

"First, those obtained by the top ten in the Megaverse Crossroads throughout history. Second, those bestowed by eternal existences. Third, those acquired by Sovereigns and Overlords while exploring immutable relic sites and the cosmic sea.

“The first two sources are relatively fixed," Overlord Hou Jue smiled. "As for obtaining them through exploration and adventure? That's exceedingly rare. On the contrary, many Overlords have lost their Xiantian artifacts during such endeavors."

"Overlord," Wu Yuan shook his head, "This junior's strength truly doesn't stem from Xiantian artifacts."

"I believe you, of course. But other Overlords won't," Overlord Hou Jue's smile held a hint of warning. "So, even as you explore the Abyss Region, you must be cautious... Some Overlords among other Saintdoms in the Long Shan Universe might also aim to kill you and seize your treasures."

"Overlords from other Saintdoms?" Wu Yuan's pupils constricted slightly. He hadn't considered this.

"A single Xiantian artifact isn't enough to make them take the risk, but two or three? That's sufficient," Overlord Hou Jue explained. "You must understand, if your true self is killed and your treasures taken, even the Eldritch Progenitor would be hard-pressed to do anything about it.

“Eternal existences, with mighty and invincible true bodies, have transcended the river of space and time. They rarely return to the universe," Overlord Hou Jue continued. "Even if they do return, it's extremely difficult for them to kill an Overlord within the universe.

“In records of previous samsara cycles of heaven and earth, I've seen an account of an eternal existence returning to try and kill an Overlord, only to be slain themself," Overlord Hou Jue shook her head, sighing. "A sempiternal lifeform slaying an eternal being - it's hailed as an immortal legend."

"What? A sempiternal lifeform, slaying an eternal being?" Wu Yuan listened, dumbfounded. How formidable!

"What was this Overlord called?" Wu Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"His true name cannot be spoken, nor do I know it," Overlord Hou Jue's eyes flashed with a hint of fear. "But his title has been passed down in legends across countless megaverses, never fading.

“Heavenly Imperator!"

Those two words seemed to drain all of Overlord Hou Jue's strength, causing her to fall silent for a long while.

Wu Yuan's mind, however, was churning with shock and awe.

Heavenly Imperator?

Wu Yuan mused internally.

As he uttered these words in his mind, he felt as if, somewhere above the river of space and time, an eternally majestic figure had cast its gaze upon him.

The eternal leader of the Immortal Court? Was this being on the same level as Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, standing at the pinnacle of eternal lifeforms?

Undoubtedly, just as the Eldritch Court stood tall throughout the megaverses due to the existence of Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, the Immortal Court likely had a similar figure.

"Wu Yuan, you may go. I've told you all you need to know. Be careful as you explore independently," Overlord Hou Jue seemed to have regained her composure. "If you encounter danger, come see me again, or send a message to Overlord Ming Zhun."

"Yes, I shall take my leave," Wu Yuan bowed respectfully before turning to exit the hall.

Upon leaving Hou Jue Hall, he gazed down at the river streams in the void below, where massive halls hung suspended.

Back to my hall.

Wu Yuan flew straight toward his own hall.

During his years of exploration in the Dao Realm, except for the time he had spent in the burial mountain, he had always left a strand of consciousness in his hall in the Myriad River Realm.

Soon, Wu Yuan arrived at his hall, just in time to see a large group of Sovereigns gathered in front of Sovereign Cang Feng's hall, apparently holding a meeting. Many of them were figures Wu Yuan was familiar with.

Their halls were adjacent; Wu Yuan had deliberately chosen to establish his hall next to Sovereign Cang Feng's.

What's going on? Let's take a look.

Wu Yuan thought, taking a step forward and swiftly approaching.

"It's Wu Yuan."

"Wu Yuan has arrived." As Wu Yuan flew over, he immediately caught the attention of the dozens of late-stage Sovereign powerhouses gathered there.

"How rare!"

"Brother Wu Yuan."

"Brother Wu Yuan, long time no see." The dozens of powerful Sovereigns who were seated all stood up, greeting Wu Yuan with unprecedented enthusiasm.

"Brother Jue Guang, Brother Gu Lei..." Wu Yuan smiled and responded to each in turn, though inwardly he was somewhat puzzled.

Among these dozens of Sovereigns, only a few could be considered friends. The rest were mere acquaintances, and some he had never even met before. Was such enthusiasm really necessary?

"Wu Yuan, come sit," Sovereign Cang Feng, seated in the host seat, beckoned Wu Yuan to sit beside him.

Wu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down. Instantly, an array of celestial wines and delicacies appeared out of thin air.

"Brother Wu Yuan," Sovereign Gu Lei smiled, "We were just discussing the recent Saintdom war that erupted in the Long Shan Universe, and we mentioned your battle with Sovereign You Hong.

“Who would have thought that just as we were talking about you, the man himself would appear," Sovereign Gu Lei added.

"Brother Wu Yuan, we were wrong about you," another Sovereign, a burly man in coarse golden robes, raised his cup solemnly. "We thought your breakthrough to Astral Monarch was a rash decision, but we never imagined that even as an Astral Monarch, you could rival a late-stage Sovereign. Our perspective was too limited."

"Yes, yes, I even thought Brother Wu Yuan's move to the Myriad River Realm was premature and unfair. I was wrong too, and I hope Brother Wu Yuan won't hold it against us," another Sovereign similarly raised his cup.

"Esteemed Sovereigns, you jest," Wu Yuan smiled in return, raising his own cup. "My earlier move to the Myriad River Realm was indeed somewhat improper."

"Haha, we're all brothers of the Eldritch Court, let's not speak of such things today," Sovereign Cang Feng grinned broadly. "Come, let's all raise our cups and drink!"

"Drink!" The dozens of powerful Sovereigns all raised their cups, displaying great enthusiasm and camaraderie.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but smile slightly.

He understood that this was the nature of the Eldritch Court's super powerhouses - their emotions, be it joy or anger, were always genuine. This was especially so for those who had cultivated for long ages and reached a bottleneck in their power. With their progress stalled and possessing near-eternal lifespans, they rarely bothered to flatter others.

In this world, power spoke loudest. For these late-stage Sovereign powerhouses, Wu Yuan's talent didn't matter, nor did they care how he had managed to slay Sovereign You Hong. As long as one possessed the strength of a late-stage Sovereign, that was enough to earn a place in the Myriad River Realm.

The dozens of late-stage Sovereign powerhouses present generally possessed combat power at the seventh-stage Sovereign level when their true selves exerted full power. If it were just their mana bodies or ether bodies, their power might fall slightly short of a seventh-stage Sovereign.

With strength comes qualifications.

Wu Yuan drained his cup of wine in one go.

Right now, the Overlords of the Eldritch Court all believe the Eldritch Progenitor bestowed Xiantian artifacts upon me prematurely, causing them to feel discontented.

Why? It's because my strength isn't sufficient. Those Overlords believe they're no worse than me. Since they're already Overlords yet haven't received additional Xiantian artifacts, why should I, a mere Astral Monarch, receive multiple bestowals?

Wu Yuan saw the situation clearly.

If I had enough strength, would Overlord Zi Wu dare openly express dissatisfaction towards me?

Heavenly Imperator? Slaying an eternal being while still a sempiternal lifeform?

Wu Yuan silently recalled Overlord Hou Jue's words.

The Heavenly Imperator had achieved this feat.

I, Wu Yuan, cultivating both eternal paths, will one day possess such strength as well when I become an Overlord.

Wu Yuan felt a surge of aspiration.

Previously, he had only sought to break free from the shackles of samsara and become an eternal being. Now, Wu Yuan had another goal.

In cultivation, one should aim to take Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, the Spacetime Dao Master, and the Heavenly Imperator as examples. Though I am now a sempiternal lifeform, I shall strive to rival the Heavenly Imperator in his sempiternal days!

...

Time flowed on, and in the blink of an eye, nearly a hundred years had passed.

Within the Abyss Region of the Well of Life.

A vast emptiness. The suction force is getting increasingly terrifying, and the spatial suppression and constraints are growing stronger. Even the power of my Yuan Soul can no longer leave my body.

Wu Yuan, clad in the Azure Origin Armor, silently traversed the dark void.

Plunging into the Abyss Region, the surrounding spacetime was in complete chaos.

His previous claim about getting lost was a lie. But after a hundred years, he truly was lost now. All methods of orienting himself had failed. Even with his connection to his qi refiner self, he could no longer pinpoint his location.

By relying on the direction of the suction force, I can vaguely discern up from down,

Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

But if I try to fly upwards and out of the Abyss Region, I'll unwittingly end up flying downwards again.

I've been flying for years now, covering at least ten thousand light-years.

Wu Yuan reflected silently.

This was the Abyss Region. It was also one of the key reasons countless powerhouses throughout history had dubbed it the Bottomless Well.

Wu Yuan continued to advance with utmost caution, not daring to move too quickly.

Still, while other powerhouses might get utterly lost, flying in circles endlessly, I have the black pagoda to guide me. I'm not lost in the truest sense.

Wu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly.

But I haven't reached the bottom of the Abyss Region yet? Just how deep is this chasm?

From the surface, the diameter of the Well of Life appeared to be just over one light-year.

Shhhk!

As Wu Yuan glided through a patch of shadowy void, a terrifying force erupted from the emptiness without warning, slamming into his body and sending him hurtling through space.

The impact, filtered through his Azure Origin Armor, was reduced by more than 99.9%, with only the faintest aftershock reaching Wu Yuan's physical form.

Pffft!

Blood still trickled from the corner of Wu Yuan's mouth as his vital qi churned violently within him.

Whoosh!

After tumbling through the void several times, crossing over a hundred million li, Wu Yuan finally steadied himself and came to a complete stop.

That was dangerous.

Wu Yuan's eyes held a glimmer of lingering fear.

This lethal trap was completely hidden in the void and erupted without warning – if not for the Azure Origin Armor, that single strike would have left me gravely wounded.

Such an attack would be lethal to other body refiner Sovereigns, and even late-stage Sovereign powerhouses.

Wu Yuan mused silently.

The dangers of the Abyss Region were evident. This recent assault was the most dangerous Wu Yuan had faced in over a century, likely approaching the level of an Overlord's strike.

Hmm?

Wu Yuan sensed something and reached out into a particular patch of the void.

When he pulled his hand out, it now held a large crystal that emitted a faint azure light and radiated intense essence power. The light it emitted was so weak that it would be imperceptible from a distance.

Another essence stone.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but grin.

This large chunk should be worth at least two mid-grade Dao Instruments.

Fortune favors the bold – danger and opportunity often coexist.

Over the past century, Wu Yuan had acquired essence stones of varying sizes as he traversed the Abyss Region, collectively worth dozens of mid-grade Dao Instruments.

He tucked away the essence stone.

It's growing increasingly dangerous. I hope to reach my destination soon.

Wu Yuan thought to himself.

Though his body refiner self wasn't sensitive to destiny, he could sense its subtle warnings as he delved deeper.