Yuan’s Ascension

Chapter 1307: Return, The Target Of All Arrows (1)

The spirit of the Creation Origin Armor? Wu Yuan was momentarily taken aback. Back then, the azure-robed youth had barred his mana body from entering the contest for the Xuanhuang Dao Treasure, an act that had stirred dissatisfaction within him. Now, in a bewildering turn of events, this same being addressed him as ‘Master’. Truly, life was unpredictable.

“Wu Yuan, observe carefully.” The white-robed woman stood tall against the endless void, extending one slender finger. Spacetime quivered in response, and a suit of azure armor emerged slowly from nothingness. A powerful aura radiated outward, subtly but unmistakably pressing upon the surrounding spacetime.

A Xuanhuang Dao Treasure. Wu Yuan breathed, eyes wide.

Long before the emergence of the Tenth Chaos Void, his mana and ether bodies had journeyed to that mysterious location deep within the cosmic sea, attempting to claim the Samsara Sword. With Wu Yuan’s strength back then, the sword’s overwhelming power had proven too much. He could barely activate it, let alone wield or conceal its aura. In the end, Wu Yuan managed to claim ownership, but decided to leave the Samsara Sword where it was. When he became a Dao Zenithel, he would return for it.

Because of this experience, he was very familiar with the distinct aura of Xuanhuang Dao Treasures.

Its design resembles the Robe of Creation. Wu Yuan observed, studying the azure armor. Seemingly one piece, yet it covers the entire body.

Where the Samsara Sword had been the embodiment of sharpness, capable of shattering layers of the void without even unleashing its power, the Creation Origin Armor represented absolute solidness. It rested in the void like a universe, exuding an aura of immovable permanence.

“What we call Xuanhuang Dao Treasures are, at their core, merely Chaos Treasures,” the white-robed woman explained, tracing the contours of the azure armor with her fingers.

“Their distinction lies in that they contain a portion of the Order of the Primordial Rules, borrowing a fraction of the Primordial essence’s power. This is what allows their might to vastly exceed other Chaos Treasures within the Nine Megaverses Spacetime.

“When the Primordial Cataclysm arrives and the Primordial essence recedes, these treasures will revert to their original form. Their power then will scarcely surpass the armor you currently wear.”

With a gentle motion, the azure armor floated across the void and came to rest before Wu Yuan.

Return to their original form? Xuanhuang Dao Treasures were originally Chaos Treasures? Wu Yuan’s mind raced with astonishment. This was surely a huge secret.

He recalled High Saint Hai Ling mentioning that Frostheaven Peak produced a constant stream of Xuanhuang Dao Treasures.

A theory began forming in his mind: just as the River of Universes underwent universal samsara, perhaps the endless cosmic sea and Nine Megaverses Spacetime also had an endpoint to their timeline, one that stretched inconceivably far into the future.

The Primordial Epoch? Wu Yuan murmured, recalling Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu’s words.

Looking up at High Saint Hai Ling, he ventured, “May I ask—from the beginning of everything in the Primordium, up till the Primordial Cataclysm you mention—is that one Primordial Epoch? And the Great Leader you speak of, along with beings like the Origin Saint and Azure Saint… are they super powerhouses from the previous Primordial Epoch?”

His question stemmed not from boldness, but genuine curiosity mingled with profound awe. If Primordial Epochs truly existed, if all previous ones had indeed been completely annihilated…

Would the epoch he currently lived in meet the same fate?

“Your curiosity runs deep.” High Saint Hai Ling’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I can only tell you that many things are, in fact, part of a cycle.”

“A cycle?” Wu Yuan’s brow furrowed.

“The Ten Chaos Voids are the ruins of past eras,” she explained. “After the Primordial Cataclysm, after the countless Saint Realms and Eternal Realms in your current cosmic sea are destroyed, perhaps they too will be collected and transformed into new Chaos Voids.”

Wu Yuan felt his pupils contract at this confirmation of his suspicions.

“As for the Origin Saint and Azure Saint,” she continued, “they are indeed Cyclebreakers. However, the Origin Saint, though remarkably close, cannot truly be mentioned in the same breath as the creator of Frostheaven Peak. The greatness of the Great Leader surpasses what your mind can comprehend.” [1]

Even stronger than the Origin Saint? Wu Yuan’s thoughts immediately flew to the Five Moves of Destruction and that shadowy figure his consciousness had glimpsed. That was a being of power so vast it seemed to transcend the Primordium itself.

“Of course, much of the past has been obscured by time’s relentless march.” High Saint Hai Ling’s gaze softened as she regarded Wu Yuan. “Should you take that final step in your future journey, all will become clear to you. Every secret the cosmic sea holds will be laid bare before your eyes.”

The final step? The fifth step of eternity? Wu Yuan pondered silently, recalling similar words spoken to him in the Azure Saint Tomb—that upon taking the fifth step, he would earn the right to enter its deepest forbidden area and learn what Azure Saint had left behind.

“Take the Xuanhuang Dao Treasure,” High Saint Hai Ling urged with a smile.

“Yes.” Wu Yuan nodded and reached out, his fingers brushing against the azure armor. He channeled his mana and Yuan Soul power, attempting to probe it.

Immediately, waves of power rebounded against him.

An ordinary True Saint would likely fail to claim ownership, but who was Wu Yuan? Once his body refiner self created the eighth move of his ultimate technique, his strength had entered the realm of Dao Zenithels. He was someone who could truly rival a Dao Zenithel while possessing the body of a True Saint.

Claiming this treasure? Difficult, but not impossible.

Imprint! Wu Yuan commanded, his eyes narrowing with intense focus as he finally grasped the Dao essence of the Creation Origin Armor, forcefully imprinting his aura upon it.

“Master!” The azure-robed youth in the void laughed with delight. “You’ve successfully claimed ownership!” Cupping his hands, he transformed into a streak of light and merged directly into the azure armor.

Come. Wu Yuan thought, and the Creation Origin Armor immediately flew toward him, entering his divine body and replacing the Robe of Creation.

In an instant, Wu Yuan was enveloped by the Creation Origin Armor. His aura transformed dramatically—like an immovable universe, vast and impenetrable.

Controlling it is so difficult. He realized, his pupils contracting. Only now, with the armor equipped, did he truly comprehend its formidable nature.

Where unleashing the Samsara Sword’s power primarily consumed psyche energy with minimal drain on mana, the Creation Origin Armor demanded ether above all else. Despite his ether body and body refiner self possessing ether reserves considered exceptional among True Saints, Wu Yuan still struggled to sustain its power.

Yet its capabilities are truly terrifying. He marveled inwardly. It is equipped within the divine body, perfectly protecting the Eternal Psyche.

Protecting the Eternal Psyche was no novel concept; many eternal powerhouses had attempted it throughout the ages. But perfect protection required isolating spacetime, which created a fundamental problem: the Eternal Psyche served as the bridge connecting the Saint Realm or Eternal Realm’s essence with the divine body. Complete isolation would prevent mana or ether from flowing from the Eternal Psyche.

For countless ages, no artifact had successfully offered direct protection to the Eternal Psyche.

The Creation Origin Armor is an internal armor that fuses with the Eternal Psyche. Wu Yuan realized with amazement. It enhances its toughness tremendously without impeding the flow of mana whatsoever.

Truly worthy of its status as a Xuanhuang Dao Treasure. Despite having just claimed it and only being able to unleash the first level of its profundities, Wu Yuan’s physical defense had increased more than tenfold.

What if I could master the second level? He wondered, then shook his head. The cryptic patterns of Dao essence within Xuanhuang Dao Treasures were only divided into two levels in total.

Now Wu Yuan understood why Great Emperor Yan Tuo inspired such terror. He had formidable personal strength, an Eternal Realm fused with a universe providing nearly limitless mana, and Xuanhuang Dao Treasure armor. His reputation for indestructibility was well-earned.

However, I am the Creation Dao Master. Wu Yuan thought, a gleam flashing in his eyes. I am perfectly compatible with this Creation Origin Armor, and my Eternal Realm will likely surpass his. The future me will be stronger than Great Emperor Yan Tuo.

After claiming ownership, a faint message from the Primordial essence confirmed that the Creation Origin Armor was indeed one of the three Xuanhuang Dao Treasures of the Creation lineage. Whether it had truly emerged in response to him specifically, however, remained a mystery.

“You have received the Xuanhuang Dao Treasure,” High Saint Hai Ling declared with a faint smile. “Go now, seek your path. I hope we will meet again someday.” With a graceful wave of her hand, Frostheaven Peak radiated endless streams of five-colored light that enveloped Wu Yuan completely.

In a flash, he vanished, leaving Frostheaven Peak in silence.

“Another one has been sent off,” came a leisurely voice as the figure in black robes stepped out from the twisted spacetime.

“Senior Luo.” High Saint Hai Ling offered a slight smile. “Thank you for your assistance in this matter.”

“It’s no trouble. I understand the importance of the Nine Megaverses,” the black-robed figure replied with an easy smile. “Well then, I shall take my leave.”

With a thunderous crack, a terrifying rift tore open in the void, extending an immeasurable distance. There, spacetime seemed not to exist; a place beyond the reach of the Primordial Rules.

The black-robed figure stepped into the rift, which then resealed itself behind him, as if it had never existed at all.

1. Oh come on! I thought the Origin Saint was supposed to be number 1 ☜