Yuan’s Ascension

Chapter 940: Battle at Heavenly Wolf Mountain (3)

Hiss~ Suddenly, an enormous lightning bolt, spanning a million li, materialized from nowhere. It slithered through the void like an electric serpent devouring all in its path, instantly colliding with Astral Monarch Shi Zhu.

Hm? Fear flickered through Astral Monarch Shi Zhu’s eyes.

Crack! The lightning flashed, instantly obliterating Astral Monarch Shi Zhu’s body. The terrifying power of the thunderbolt shattered many of his storage artifacts, scattering numerous treasures.

The high-grade Dao Instrument. Wu Yuan rapidly closed in, reaching out to grasp a divine sword from the scattered items. He swiftly collected the other treasures as well.

The arrays in outer space are indeed perilous. A late-stage Astral Monarch powerhouse was annihilated in an instant. Wu Yuan’s gaze swept the area.

This was only the lowest layer of outer space. Even Sovereigns might perish if they ventured higher up.

Wu Yuan dared to venture here for two reasons. First, his superior strength and powerful physical body gave him confidence in withstanding attacks from the lowest layer of outer space. Second, he believed his providence to be stronger, granting him better luck and a much lower chance of encountering an attack from an array.

Let’s go. Wu Yuan stowed away the numerous treasures dropped by Astral Monarch Shi Zhu and swiftly returned to the mountain’s surface.

Then, orienting himself, he continued towards the spatial passage.

However, in light of Astral Monarch Shi Zhu’s threat, though unverified, Wu Yuan slightly altered his original course. For Wu Yuan, avoiding an encounter with a Sovereign was the best outcome.

Less than a year until I reach the spatial passage. Wu Yuan estimated, gauging his position.

…

For Wu Yuan, this battle that erupted on Heavenly Wolf Mountain was merely a minor interlude. But for Astral Monarch Qu Ye and Astral Monarch Shi Zhu, it was far from trivial.

As mere Astral Monarchs, opportunities to acquire high-grade Dao Instruments were exceedingly rare in their long lives. Moreover, with their mana/ether bodies perishing this time, they naturally wouldn’t let the matter rest.

Shi Zhu was killed?

All of them were slain? And that blue-robed Astral Monarch obtained all the treasures? Astral Monarch Qu Ye swiftly received the news.

Shi Zhu and him hailed from the same macrocosm. Though they belonged to different factions, their true selves maintained some connection.

Such an incredible Astral Monarch? Where did he come from? Astral Monarch Qu Ye immediately reported the matter to his direct superior, a Sovereign.

Simultaneously, he made inquiries through the Mystic Lotus Divine Court’s voidrealm, hoping to at least identify their enemy.

“The Law of Life and Law of Death interwoven? That must be a saber technique applying the profundities of the Great Dao of Creation.”

“Creation Dao Field? Sovereign-level comprehension.”

“Comprehension of the Great Dao of Creation at the Dao Field stage, and what appears to be an extremely powerful immortal root, with strength at the Sovereign threshold?”

“It’s hard to say.”

“Our Long Shan Universe should have quite a few such powerhouses, but his appearance doesn’t match anyone in our intelligence archives. The individual likely altered their form and concealed their identity.” This information spread among the powerhouses of the Mystic Lotus Divine Court. But for the moment, they couldn’t identify the culprit.

In other universes, Astral Monarchs who comprehended the Great Dao of Creation might be rare. But in the Long Shan Universe, the place where the Creation Dao Master fell, numerous powerhouses comprehended the Great Dao of Creation.

A single macrocosm consisted of hundreds of thousands of Astral Monarchs. Perhaps only one or two comprehended the Great Dao of Creation to the ninth-level True Intent stage. But what about nearly ten thousand macrocosms combined? The sheer number of Astral Monarchs made it impossible to investigate thoroughly.

Thus, the Sovereigns of the Mystic Lotus Divine Court, upon receiving the message from Astral Monarch Qu Ye, deliberated briefly and ultimately concluded that Wu Yuan was a top-tier Astral Monarch who had been in seclusion for ages, comprehending the Great Dao of Creation.

Now, it seemed he had made a breakthrough in power and had decided to explore the Creation Dao Realm. Mere threshold Sovereign-level strength wasn’t enough to be considered a Supreme Astral Monarch.

“The Creation Dao Realm is vast and boundless, making it difficult to investigate thoroughly.”

“This is just the usual competition over treasures. The loss of mana bodies and ether bodies is commonplace.”

“If we were to seek revenge for every such incident, we’d have far too much on our plates.”

“Record this Astral Monarch’s information. He’s sure to act again, and we can seize the opportunity when it arises.”

None of the Mystic Lotus Divine Court Sovereigns were willing to take action, because similar incidents were far too common. How could they possibly devote time to them all?

If Astral Monarch Qu Ye had perished, perhaps the Mystic Lotus Divine Court might have expended some resources to investigate further.

…

Astral Monarch Shi Zhu’s circumstances within the Demon Moon Temple were similar to Astral Monarch Qu Ye’s, and normally, no Sovereign would pay much attention.

However, circumstances didn’t always follow the norm.

In a rather expansive plane within the Demon Moon Court of the Demon Moon Temple’s voidrealm.

Heavenly Wolf Mountain? My ether body is guarding one of the spatial passages not too far from there. Atop a throne, a towering figure with a bull’s head and human body sat cross-legged.

This was the renowned Sovereign Niu Can of the Demon Moon Temple. He was famous for his frequent forays into the Creation Dao Realm, notorious for his penchant for plundering others and bullying the weak.

Most Sovereigns had their pride and disdained acting against Astral Monarchs during expeditions. But Sovereign Niu Can was different. If he learned of an Astral Monarch possessing a powerful treasure, he would strike without hesitation upon encountering them.

“Shi Zhu, you’re not deceiving me? This Astral Monarch truly possesses a high-grade Dao Instrument?” Sovereign Niu Can looked down at the white-haired figure kneeling before him.

For an ordinary Sovereign, obtaining a high-grade Dao Instrument was no easy feat.

“It’s absolutely true. A high-grade Dao Instrument is a matter of great importance. This junior would never dare deceive you, Sovereign.” Astral Monarch Shi Zhu replied with utmost respect. His final threat to Wu Yuan had been genuine.

“Tell me all the details you know,” Sovereign Niu Can’s voice boomed. “If the information you provide is valuable and I end up acquiring the high-grade Dao Instrument, I’ll reward you with five mid-grade Dao Instruments.”

“Thank you, Sovereign,” Astral Monarch Shi Zhu responded respectfully, though his heart bled.

Five mid-grade Dao Instruments? Their value couldn’t compare to a high-grade Dao Instrument, but this was the best option available to him.

…

In the Creation Dao Realm, at the rear of Heavenly Wolf Mountain.

Within this expanse of outer space was a spatial passage over ten billion li in diameter, its entrance taking the form of a terrifying vortex. Below the spatial passage, on a desolate plain, stood a majestic hall that exuded a powerful aura.

Boom! A towering figure clad in black battle armor appeared. He stood ten thousand zhangs tall, with a bull’s head on a human body, emanating a rather violent aura. He appeared to trample the entire heaven and earth beneath his feet.

A high-grade Dao Instrument? According to that youngster Shi Zhu’s information, that blue-robed Astral Monarch should be heading to Zone Seven to try his luck. Sovereign Niu Can muttered to himself.

Whoosh! He waved his hand, stowing away the hall on the desolate plain, then his massive form soared skyward.

Hundreds of spatial passages were scattered across the back of Heavenly Wolf Mountain. In the intelligence recorded by various Saintdoms, these spatial passages were divided into different zones.

…

Wu Yuan was unaware that a Sovereign’s ether body would come to hunt him down over a high-grade Dao Instrument. However, even if he knew, Wu Yuan wouldn’t have cared. They were merely the mana and ether bodies of some Astral Monarchs; killing them was no big deal.

A Sovereign out to hunt him? With hundreds of spatial passages, even if the other party were to intentionally search for him, the chances of an encounter were extremely low.

In the blink of an eye, nearly a year went by.

Wu Yuan was making his way through a canyon, its towering walls stretching over a hundred million li on either side.

According to the Eldritch Court’s intelligence, I should be getting close after passing through this canyon. Wu Yuan continued to advance.

The Eldritch Court, as one of the greatest factions, had never been destroyed through countless samsara cycles of heaven and earth. As a result, it had accumulated a vast amount of intelligence. This was the power of a faction’s foundation.

For instance, the information it had on various exploration sites in the Creation Dao Realm was incredibly detailed. The Eldritch Court had sent powerhouses to map out the entire topography of Heavenly Wolf Mountain, not just the surface, but including some routes within the mountain itself. This was for future powerhouses to reference during their explorations.

Only a few hundred billion li left. Wu Yuan felt somewhat relieved.

The journey here had indeed been long. Despite traveling non-stop, it had taken more than ten years. As Wu Yuan advanced in his cultivation, he became ever more aware of the boundless nature of heaven and earth, perceiving the limitless expanse of the universe.

There are too many unknowns in the boundless megaverse. Perhaps only the eternal existences can truly unravel a large fraction of these secrets. Wu Yuan mused to himself.

In comparison, the exploration efficiency of Astral Monarchs and even Sovereigns was still too low.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan continued to advance through the canyon, getting closer and closer to the coordinates of the spatial vortex.

Hmm? A cold glint flashed in Wu Yuan’s eyes as he abruptly halted.

His gaze fell on the seemingly calm, dim expanse of void in the distance. He sensed a great threat looming.

“Interesting. Truly interesting. A mere Astral Monarch is able to sense my presence.” A deep voice suddenly rang out, followed by the appearance of a towering figure.

He stood about a thousand zhangs tall, humanoid in form, with two bald heads. His entire body was engulfed in flames that served as his clothing, and he possessed four arms. Most striking was his chest, where a ball of light seemed to flicker.

Boom! A powerful, majestic aura spread out, its pressure rolling forth, completely enveloping this region of spacetime. It also enveloped Wu Yuan.

Sovereign Xiong Guang? Wu Yuan frowned slightly, already recognizing the other party – an Immortal Court Sovereign.

Since he would be exploring the Long Shan Universe, Wu Yuan naturally did his research on the Immortal Court powerhouses in this universe. He had meticulously studied the vast intelligence accumulated by the Eldritch Court’s Long Shan Saintdom. Naturally, he knew about Sovereign Xiong Guang. Many Sovereign powerhouses were incredibly proud and reluctant to change their appearance easily, thus Wu Yuan recognized him in an instant.

The worst-case scenario had occurred. If he encountered Sovereigns from other factions, his information might not leak even if they fought. But encountering an Immortal Court Sovereign? It would be fine if no battle erupted, but once they clashed? He might be recognized.

“Sovereign,” Wu Yuan bowed respectfully, his voice filled with humility. “This junior meant no offense. I shall take my leave immediately.”

When faced with critical situations, Wu Yuan knew when to adapt and show deference.

Whoosh! After paying his respects, Wu Yuan immediately turned and transformed into a streak of light, retreating the way he came.

“Haha, you think you can leave?” Sovereign Xiong Guang’s voice boomed, “Youngster, if you had pretended not to see me earlier, I might have ignored you. But now, I’m growing more and more curious about you. Stay right here.”

Whoosh! Sovereign Xiong Guang took a step forward, accelerating as he moved towards Wu Yuan.

Simultaneously, Sovereign Xiong Guang’s outstretched hand suddenly expanded, large enough to encompass an entire world.

He reached for Wu Yuan, intending to capture him outright.