Chapter 986: The Frenzied Sovereigns (1)

The black-robed man was a direct disciple of an Astral Monarch and had a broader perspective than most. Yet, being merely an Astral Lord, he wasn’t able to make an accurate assessment of such a vast essence ore vein. Nevertheless, he was certain that even his Master would be driven into a frenzy upon laying eyes on it.

"Second Brother, Third Brother, record the spatial coordinates of this location," the black-robed man transmitted hastily.

"Big Brother?"

"What exactly is this?" The bald-headed Archimmortal and the golden-haired giant both inquired via transmission. They could sense that this earthy-yellow celestial body was extraordinary, but due to their limited perspective, they couldn't discern its exact nature.

"Earth Essence Stone," the black-robed man transmitted.

Having braved life and death together for numerous years, the bond between him and his two brothers transcended mortality. He was unwilling to hoard this treasure for himself.

"Essence stone?"

"The legendary Earth Essence Stone?" The eyes of the bald-headed Archimmortal and the golden-haired giant instantly widened.

They immediately realized that this was undoubtedly the greatest opportunity they had encountered in their lives.

"Big Brother, thank you."

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Big Brother." Both immediately turned to their eldest brother, their hearts brimming with gratitude.

They understood that their eldest brother, being the strongest, could have concealed this discovery if he had wished.

"That’s enough. We're brothers, and since we've encountered this, it's our shared opportunity," the black-robed man transmitted hastily. "Come, let's try to get closer first."

The three Astral Lords communicated with lightning speed.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The massive mountain range, stretching across hundreds of billions of li, began to crumble. Terrifying spatial storms swept across in all directions, and numerous scorching celestial bodies streamed about, posing grave threats even to Astral Lords.

However, the three Astral Lords were too excited to worry about the danger. They strode through the void, flying toward that towering Earth Essence Stone celestial body that spanned tens of thousands of li.

"We can't get any closer."

"Such powerful essence fluctuations." The three Astral Lords were dumbfounded.

They had reached a point about 300 million li from the essence stone ore mountain. However, they were repelled by the terrifying waves of energy emanating from the celestial body, unable to approach further.

The entire essence stone ore mountain resembled a super powerhouse, its aura vast and unmatched. They were unable to approach, let alone acquire the treasure.

"It's as I initially thought. The entire essence stone ore mountain is too massive, like an incredibly powerful artifact or even a world unto itself, possessing a complete essence. Not just us, even my Master or a Sovereign might not be able to move it," the black-robed man transmitted.

"If it can't be moved, then a super powerhouse would need to mine it gradually to obtain the Earth Essence Stone.

“We can't even get close with our current strength, so naturally, we don't even qualify to mine it."

By the black-robed man's estimate, it would likely require the power of an Astral Monarch to mine the ore from the mountain.

The bald-headed Archimmortal and golden-haired giant were stunned by what they heard.

Mining? Miners? As Astral Lords, they didn't even qualify to be miners? It was too demoralizing.

But they also understood that their eldest brother was right. Such an ore vein would likely baffle even an Astral Monarch. At least, from their knowledge, perhaps no such outrageous treasure had ever been born in the entire macrocosm.

"Big Brother, what should we do?" The bald-headed Archimmortal and golden-haired giant both transmitted to their eldest brother. In both power and lineage, the black-robed man stood as the strongest of the three.

"A super treasure like this is beyond us. Even my master can’t keep it for himself," the black-robed man cooled his head. "Sovereigns. Only the great Sovereigns might have a chance to claim it.

“Moreover, this mine could potentially spark a war between our Eternal Sun Immortal World and the Greenridge Macrocosm. We can't hope to monopolize the treasure," the black-robed man transmitted.

The bald-headed Archimmortal and golden-haired giant both nodded in agreement, having also calmed down.

When faced with great opportunities and treasures, one should fight for them if they were within reach. However, if the treasure was too immense, it would only lead to ruin—like trying to swallow more than one could handle. Strength was the true foundation. As Astral Lords, the three of them were simply too weak.

"First, we must report this immediately," the black-robed man transmitted. "I will inform my Master at once, and he will inform the Sovereigns. As long as we're the first in the immortal world to make the report, we're guaranteed the merits of discovery.

“If our Eternal Sun Immortal World ultimately claims it, then we'll have enormous merits awaiting us. Breaking through to become Astral Monarchs would no longer just be a dream," the black-robed man said in a low voice.

A glimmer of desire flashed in the eyes of the bald-headed Archimmortal and golden-haired giant.

Astral Monarch! As Astral Lords, their lifespans extended to ten billion years, but all three had already lived for several billion years, with hopes for a breakthrough becoming increasingly slim. No matter how extraordinary the treasure, for them, it wasn't as practical as ascending to Astral Monarch.

If they could obtain the full support of the Sovereigns, there was still hope of becoming Astral Monarchs with their current strength.

"Alright."

"Big Brother, report it immediately." The bald-headed Archimmortal and golden-haired giant both agreed.

If they reported it to other Astral Monarchs, they might steal the credit. Their eldest brother's Master was relatively trustworthy.

"Second, we three should separate immediately to set up concealment arrays in outer space. We must do our best to hinder others from arriving," the black-robed man transmitted. "Additionally, if we encounter forces from other factions, especially powerhouses from the Greenridge Immortal World, exert all efforts to slay them.

“We must buy time for our Eternal Sun Immortal World's Sovereigns to arrive," the black-robed man said solemnly.

"Understood."

"Agreed." The bald-headed Archimmortal and golden-haired giant both nodded, understanding that they would reap the greatest benefits if a Sovereign from their faction ultimately claimed this treasure.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The three Astral Lords quickly dispersed, spreading out to surround the ore mountain.

...

In a region just billions of li from the essence stone mine, a white-robed Archimmortal likewise stared in astonishment at this scene.

This? What is this?

His eyes focused, gazing at that infinitesimal point in the endless outer space. Though tiny, it emitted an incomparably terrifying aura, far more frightening than a late-stage Astral Monarch he had once glimpsed from afar. He couldn't identify it.

An opportunity.

The white-robed Archimmortal's form flickered as he approached at astonishing speed. Soon after, he arrived about 600 million li from the mine. An alarming pressure bore down on him, making it difficult to advance further.

What exactly is this treasure?

The white-robed Archimmortal was shocked. Though he couldn't identify it, the fact that its pressure was strong enough to hinder his advance from hundreds of millions of li away was simply astounding.

I can’t get any further. Will I fail to obtain it?

The white-robed Archimmortal gritted his teeth, feeling quite reluctant.

Just as he was pondering, a flash of fear crossed the white-robed Archimmortal's eyes. He tried to retreat abruptly. But alas, it was too late.

Whoosh!

A strange blade ray suddenly lit up from the empty void, slicing across a million li of space and piercing through the white-robed Archimmortal's skull.

The strike was unimaginably fast. In an instant, the blade ray cleaved the white-robed Archimmortal’s head in two. The terrifying power contained within it erupted from the gaping wound, surging through every inch of his body.

In the next moment, his entire form shattered into nothingness.

He was dead!

Archimmortals possessed numerous abilities, but in a life-or-death confrontation that unfolded in a split second, his fragile body left him with no chance of survival once the enemy closed the distance—death was inevitable.

Whoosh!

As the blade ray dissipated, a purple-robed figure appeared in the void, his gaze cold.

An essence stone ore vein?

The purple-robed figure gazed at the mountain as he muttered to himself.

An ordinary Archimmortal might not recognize such a great treasure. We must act quickly.

Slay all Archimmortals and Archdeities in this area and set up arrays. This ore vein will belong to our Greenridge Immortal World.

The purple-robed figure's eyes grew icy.

I must delay the news from spreading until the Sovereigns arrive.

He didn’t care who he killed. His only intent was to kill them all—if mistakes were made, so be it. It made no difference.

In fact, the purple-robed figure had discovered the essence stone vein even earlier than the black-robed man, golden-haired giant, and bald-headed Archimmortal. He had sent a report to his Sovereign superior long ago.

However, whether from the depths of the Greenridge Immortal World or the Eternal Sun Immortal World, it would take these Sovereigns time to arrive.

Whoever arrived first would have the advantage.

...

The Eternal Sun Immortal Voidrealm.

Within a vast hall in an ordinary plane, countless cultivators had gathered. This was the residence of an Astral Monarch.

"Master, that is the entire account of events," the black-robed man said with utmost gravity.

Beside him floated an enormous projection, displaying the image of that essence stone mountain.

"Ten thousand li high? An Earth Essence Stone? Xia Xiao, are you certain you're not deceiving your master?" The figure wreathed in flames atop the throne spoke in a low voice, tinged with shock.

His reaction was understandable. As a late-stage Astral Monarch, Astral Monarch Yan Yan had encountered essence stones before and had a clearer understanding of their value and rarity. Such a massive mountain of essence stone was simply inconceivable; he had never heard of such a thing. He suspected that such an ore vein would drive the Sovereigns mad with greed.

"Your disciple speaks nothing but the absolute truth. How could I dare to deceive you, Master?" the black-robed man continued urgently: "Master, the situation is critical. I implore you to report this to the Sovereigns with all haste.

“Even with my power, I cannot get closer than three hundred million li," the black-robed man added.

"I have already reported it. But you must understand, most Sovereigns are in secluded cultivation. I can’t just see them whenever I want to," Astral Monarch Yan Yan said in a low voice. "My ether body is already rushing there via teleportation array. As for the Sovereign, we must wait."

Though anxious, the black-robed man felt helpless. He understood that without seeing the ore mountain with his own eyes, his master would likely harbor some doubt. After all, it was too incredible to believe.

What the black-robed man didn't know was that Astral Monarch Yan Yan had indeed reported the matter, but only to Sovereign Zhen Guang.

This was because he served under Sovereign Zhen Guang, and before the Sovereign gave his instructions, it wasn't appropriate to report such news to other Sovereigns.

After all, this matter was far too significant. If word got out to other Sovereigns who then claimed the ore vein, how would Sovereign Zhen Guang view him as a subordinate in the future?

Suddenly, the black-robed man's eyes flashed with fear. "Master, something's wrong,".

"What is it?" Astral Monarch Yan Yan asked hurriedly.

"Master, my mana body was just killed," the black-robed man said through gritted teeth. "My killer used only about ten moves. He's an extremely powerful enemy, likely a quasi-Astral Monarch... His goal is probably the same as mine - to kill all the powerhouses in this area to reduce the chance of information leaking."

"You’ve been killed? A quasi-Astral Monarch?" Astral Monarch Yan Yan's pupils constricted. A dire situation had arisen.

"Master, if we miss this opportunity, there may not be another in the next trillion years," the black-robed man continued. He was truly anxious now.

"I understand. You'll receive the merits you deserve," Astral Monarch Yan Yan said in a low voice. "I've already urged the Sovereigns to grant me an audience. The Sovereigns have decided to see me."