Yuan’s Ascension

Chapter 1236: Dao Enlightenment (2)

Time flowed on. After the battle outside the Azure Saint Tomb, True Saint Tian Chan vanished from sight, and the initial commotion gradually subsided.

In the blink of an eye, nearly three hundred years passed. Wu Yuan’s mana body and ether body arrived at the Taiyuan Saint Realm, but did not linger. They continued their journey through another Saint Realm passage, returning directly to the Ling Jiang Universe.

Subsequently, Wu Yuan’s mana body, carrying the Xuanhuang Essence, returned to the Greenridge Macrocosm, while his ether body, laden with treasures accumulated over millions of years, made its way to the Ling Jiang Saintdom of the Eldritch Court.

Within the projection of the Eldritch Progenitor Hall in the Saintdom was an enormous, ethereal chamber that isolated all aura from the external world.

“Overlord Wu Yuan, it has been quite some time,” a gentle voice echoed through the hall. “Have you come to offer treasures or redeem them today?”

“Your voice sounds warmer than before,” Wu Yuan replied with a faint smile curving his lips. “I’ve come to offer treasures.”

As he conversed with the spirit of the treasury, Wu Yuan waved his hand. Instantly, a dense constellation of Xiantian artifacts, Xiantian Instruments, and various rare treasures materialized, hanging suspended in the hall. Waves of powerful auras radiated outward, filling the chamber with brilliant colors and subtle fluctuations.

“It seems Overlord Wu Yuan has reaped quite the bountiful harvest during your long absence,” the gentle voice continued. “Please wait a moment while I appraise them.”

A hazy light swept over each item. Ninety-nine percent of the objects turned green, while only a few turned red.

Without waiting for the treasury spirit’s reminder, Wu Yuan skillfully collected the items bathed in red light, tucking them away with practiced ease.

After a considerable interval, the treasury spirit completed its appraisal. Clearly, this collection of items exceeded the ordinary.

“If you offer these treasures, you will obtain a total of 14,270,000 Xuanhuang merits,” the gentle voice chimed in Wu Yuan’s ear. “Do you wish to proceed with the contribution?”

“Yes!” Wu Yuan replied without hesitation.

With a brilliant sweep of light, the treasures that had filled the hall vanished. The Xuanhuang merits under Wu Yuan’s name finally surpassed the threshold of 30 million—an astronomical figure that exceeded the wealth of many True Saints.

Unfortunately, it remained woefully insufficient for Wu Yuan’s ambitions.

I have yet to undergo Dao Enlightenment, and my current treasures suffice for my immediate needs. Wu Yuan contemplated. When I killed True Saint Yun Hai and the others, I acquired numerous valuable treasures. Among the Xiantian Instruments, I reserved two for my qi refiner self. In the future, when my mana body and ether body step into eternity, I’ll require more Xiantian Instruments as their primary battle weapons.

He gazed at his accumulated wealth. Though it’s not enough, there’s no need to rush. When my mana body and ether body truly cultivate Eternal Psyches, I can return to redeem the most suitable treasures for them.

With enough Xuanhuang merits, there was no reason he couldn’t acquire treasures from the treasury later. Redeeming treasures too hastily might create complications if the items proved unsuitable later.

Wu Yuan had long noticed a pattern in the transactions: if a treasure offered to the Eldritch Court treasury earned one million Xuanhuang merits, redeeming that same item later would cost at least 1.1 million Xuanhuang merits. This price difference sustained the Eldritch Court treasury and formed the foundation for the Court’s growing strength.

In reality, if various powerhouses traded privately, exchanging item for item, they might save a considerable amount. Some did exactly that, but most in the Eldritch Court willingly traded through the official treasury for one crucial reason: contribution.

More is expected from those who possess greater power. Wu Yuan mused. Just like in mortal kingdoms, where higher earners contribute more in taxes, the same principle governs the Eldritch Court. The mightier one’s power, especially for eternal powerhouses, the more they benefit from the Eldritch Court’s protection, and consequently, the more they must contribute to its prosperity.

If the highest echelons of a faction merely sought benefits without accepting even minor losses, such a force would inevitably crumble.

Only 33 million Xuanhuang merits. Wu Yuan thought to himself, his keen gaze sweeping over the projections of various images hovering nearby, each displaying a treasure. But little by little, it accumulates. Let’s proceed methodically.

Xiantian Instruments didn’t pique his interest that much now. What truly captivated him were the few Chaos Treasures on display, each housing immense power.

But the conditions for obtaining such items were incredibly stringent. Beyond requiring great contributions, the Xuanhuang merits needed were astronomical.

Two hundred million Xuanhuang merits for the least expensive Chaos Treasure? Wu Yuan shook his head inwardly. Truly a ridiculous number.

This meant sixty or seventy Xiantian Instruments would be needed to exchange for a single Chaos Treasure. However, Wu Yuan understood one critical fact—such exchanges were only possible within the Eldritch Court. Many second-rate forces couldn’t acquire even one Chaos Treasure regardless of their desire.

Forging a Chaos Treasure required Dao Zenithel-level skills, yet Dao Zenithels were beings who had no need for mere Xiantian Instruments. Even empty-handed, the power they unleashed matched or exceeded that of when they wielded such weapons. For Dao Zenithels standing at the pinnacle, Xiantian Instruments were dispensable, at most serving as materials for forging greater artifacts.

I’m still poor. Wu Yuan sighed inwardly. After deriving various ultimate techniques, cultivating them to their peak will also demand rare materials.

The best method to create truly formidable ultimate techniques was to pair them with rare treasures. Borrowing the mystical properties of such treasures greatly increased one’s chances of success. Creating them from nothing? Nearly impossible.

All matters are settled for now. Time to return. Wu Yuan’s ether body departed the Ling Jiang Saintdom, heading toward the Greenridge Macrocosm.

…

At that same moment, in a distant, mysterious secret realm within the Eldritch Court Universe, Overlord Hou Jue’s eyes snapped open from silent cultivation. Wu Yuan had messaged her.

Ready to step into eternity? A strange light flickered in her eyes, her heart quickening with excitement mingled with tumultuous emotions.

In a fluid motion, Overlord Hou Jue rose and soared skyward, leaving the dark canyon behind and emerging into the void beyond. There, a magnificent hall hung suspended against the backdrop of stars.

“Overlord Hou Jue,” a cold voice emanated from the hall, “why have you stopped cultivating? Shouldn’t you be taking full advantage of this rare opportunity to cultivate in the Eldritch Progenitor’s Secret Realm?”

“Esteemed Saint,” Hou Jue replied with deep respect, “I must return immediately to the Ling Jiang Universe. I’ve cultivated in the Eldritch Progenitor’s Secret Realm for 1.9 million years. I cannot wait out the remaining hundred thousand years.”

“What matter demands such urgency?” The cold voice carried unmistakable displeasure. “Overlord Wu Yuan redeemed this opportunity on your behalf. It is an incredibly rare privilege.”

“Reporting to the Saint,” Hou Jue continued, lowering her head slightly, “it was Overlord Wu Yuan himself who sent word that someone in the Ling Jiang Universe is about to step into eternity. He asked for my swift return, for once this moment passes, it is forever lost. Guided by your wisdom, I have successfully created a limitbreak Overlord ultimate technique during my time in the Eldritch Progenitor’s Secret Realm.”

“Someone stepping into eternity?” The cold voice softened slightly with surprise.

After a moment of contemplative silence, the voice continued: “You wish to become a Heaven’s Stowaway? Very well, such opportunities are exceedingly rare. I offer early congratulations on becoming a Perennial.”

“Thank you, Saint,” Overlord Hou Jue bowed deeply before departing with remarkable speed.

…

In the Ling Jiang Universe, at the grand headquarters of the Taiyuan Divine Court, a ripple of shock passed through the gathered Overlords.

“What?”

“In the next one thousand years, Overlord Ming Jian will undergo Dao Enlightenment?” The news spread like wildfire among Overlord Jiang Meng, Overlord Xin Ya, Overlord Shan Jin, Overlord Yan Kui, and the other Taiyuan Divine Court Overlords, drawing them swiftly together in an urgent assembly.

Though they had anticipated this moment, the reality of it still struck them hard. The sheer speed of Ming Jian’s advancement left them stunned. By their calculations, he had cultivated for less than ten million years in total.

Overlord Xin Ya turned to Jiang Meng. “Jiang Meng, will you seize this opportunity to become a Perennial?”

Among the nine Overlords of the divine court, only the two of them had created limitbreak Overlord ultimate techniques.

“Heaven’s Stowaway?” A flicker of internal conflict danced across Overlord Jiang Meng’s eyes.

Human hearts were malleable. Once, when her combat power had just reached the third-stage Overlord level, the ultimate technique she created had been unremarkable among Overlords. In those days, she had hungered desperately to create a limitbreak Overlord ultimate technique.

Later, within the Xuanhuang Cosmiris, Wu Yuan’s guidance had led her to a momentous opportunity. She had finally crafted a limitbreak Overlord ultimate technique, elevating her standing to the true elite among the hundred-plus Overlords in the entire Ling Jiang Universe.

Such immense power naturally bred greater ambition. There was still a long way to go before the current samsara cycle of heaven and earth ended, plenty of time for further advancement.

“What about you?” Jiang Meng deflected the question back.

Black mist swirled around Overlord Xin Ya’s form as he smiled faintly. “I know my limits,” he replied calmly. “I’ve never forgotten my original intention. Long ago, I looked forward to the day Ming Jian would successfully become Eternal. That day has finally arrived. Naturally, I cannot miss it.”

His misty figure shifted as he continued, “Dao Enlightenment offers a tremendous opportunity: receiving the Primordium’s baptism. In the future, one can become a Saint at least, perhaps even a True Saint.” He paused meaningfully. “But destiny’s gifts are limited, and opportunities are finite.

“To create an eternal ultimate technique and then gamble on that slim chance of survival…” Overlord Xin Ya shook his head. “I don’t believe I can accomplish this.”

His meaning was crystal clear—he would choose the path of a Heaven’s Stowaway.

Silence fell as Jiang Meng absorbed his words, particularly struck by the phrase: “never forgotten my original intention.”

After what seemed an eternity, she spoke in a low, resolute voice. “Alright, I’ll also take the path of a Heaven’s Stowaway. After all, I’ll have all of eternity in the future. As the years flow by, advancing to the Saint stage isn’t impossible.”

Overlords Si Pan, You Mei, Shan Jin, and the others watched in envious silence. The path of a Heaven’s Stowaway might mean missing out on the Primordium’s baptism, but it offered a slender hope of eventually breaking through to Sainthood.

More importantly, it offered true transcendence beyond samsara.

…

Not only did the Overlords of the Taiyuan Divine Court and Ling Jiang Saintdom of the Eldritch Court receive word, several Overlords from the Immutable Land were also notified. Though Wu Yuan didn’t have a close relationship with them, he still sent messages, instructing them to prepare.

As for other factions? Wu Yuan couldn’t be bothered to inform them. If Overlords with the power to become Heaven’s Stowaways happened to be present when his qi refiner self underwent Dao Enlightenment, that would be their good fortune. If they were outside the Ling Jiang Universe at that crucial moment? That was simply the workings of destiny, and not his concern.

However, there were two exceptions: Overlord Bei Zhen and Overlord Qing You. For these senior brothers with whom he maintained cordial relations, Wu Yuan displayed particular courtesy.

Within the vast expanse of the Spacetime Immortal Voidrealm, Overlord Bei Zhen and Overlord Qing You convened.

“Junior Brother Ming Jian is about to become a Perennial,” Overlord Qing You began without preamble. “He just sent me a message.”

“He messaged me as well,” Overlord Bei Zhen replied calmly. “Junior Brother Ming Jian’s meaning is clear: we may seize this chance to become Heaven’s Stowaways.”

“What about you, Senior Brother?” Overlord Qing You asked, deliberately avoiding a direct answer.

A faint smile crossed Overlord Bei Zhen’s face. “We are successors of the Dao Master. When we were weak, we grasped a heaven-defying opportunity. Now, though we’re not as formidable as Junior Brother Ming Jian, would you willingly surrender that legacy?”

The outcome of this choice was significant—becoming a Heaven’s Stowaway meant forfeiting their status as the Dao Master’s successor.

Overlord Qing You laughed. “This samsara cycle of heaven and earth has barely completed one-tenth of its course. Everything remains in its early stages. There’s still hope.”

“Hope is indeed the most precious resource,” Overlord Bei Zhen nodded sagely.

As successors of the Dao Master, their ambitions were greater than most. They possessed the requisite foundation, having passed the trials left by the Spacetime Dao Master while still mortal. Both demonstrated extraordinary qualities. Though they couldn’t rival Wu Yuan, they far outshone ordinary Overlords.

Naturally, they refused the path of a Heaven’s Stowaway.

…

Time flowed like an unstoppable river, carrying years away in its current.

Wu Yuan’s ether body had long since returned to the Greenridge Macrocosm, while his qi refiner self remained in the Spacetime Sword Hall, making meticulous final preparations.

Human strength has its limits. Wu Yuan’s body refiner self murmured as he traversed the macrocosm’s void, his consciousness perceiving every corner of the vast realm.

At Wu Yuan’s current Dao cultivation level, he seemed to stand in a higher spacetime dimension, surveying all below with perfect clarity. Everything in ten billion light-years of spacetime rested under his control.

For millions of years, he had provided immense aid to Master Dong Yang, Master Kua Chi, Grandmaster Bei You, and the others. He had expended every effort, yet still detected no hope of them becoming Overlords in the near future.

Only Overlord Jiang Meng and Overlord Hou Jue, perhaps blessed by some providence, had broken through and qualified to become Heaven’s Stowaways.

As for Fang Xia, Little Yi, and the others? Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

They lagged even further behind.

If they can’t break through in several million years, even waiting tens of millions more wouldn’t yield a different result. Wu Yuan concluded with perfect clarity.

There was no point in delaying things further.

In the future, he would implement his second plan: devoting his resources to nurturing his friends and family, while simultaneously seeking to cultivate another being in the Ling Jiang Universe capable of stepping into eternity.

Let’s begin.

Inside the otherwise empty Spacetime Sword Hall, Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self sat in the lotus position.

Great Dao of Spacetime. After pioneering his self-created Dao, Psyche Dream Rebirth, and cultivating for millions of years, Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self could now choose to fully comprehend the Great Dao of Spacetime at will.

The bottleneck of the Great Dao, insurmountable for most Overlords, posed no obstacle to someone with Dao cultivation at the Saint level.

At this pivotal moment, that final sliver of Dao comprehension crystallized perfectly within him.

Boom! Within Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self, his internal space began transforming dramatically, the Destiny Voidscape churning like an ocean.

Spacetime! Destiny! Karma!

Heaven and Earth!

Wu Yuan’s consciousness expanded explosively, sensing the vast and mighty Great Dao of Spacetime. Simultaneously, his awareness merged with the universe’s immense essence, the entire universe seemingly under his perception and control. This clarity surpassed his experience on the Path of Ancients tenfold, though his perception remained bound within the universe.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self involuntarily rose, soaring beyond the hall, beyond the Greenridge Macrocosm in less than an eyeblink, arriving in the endless void.

As his body erupted with light, waves of the universe’s essence cascaded down, beginning to transform his form. All of this occurred automatically beyond his conscious control.

His consciousness continued expanding until finally, he beheld the truly supreme and boundless essence of Primordial Rules that transcended the universe, the River of Universes, and spacetime itself.

Self-created Dao imprint!

The instant Wu Yuan’s consciousness could perceive the Primordial Rules’ essence, the fluctuations of his self-created Dao swiftly intertwined with it.

A wave of unprecedented magnitude, centered on Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self, instantly engulfed the entire Ling Jiang Universe. No macrocosm, expanse of outer space, realm, or Saintdom in the universe could withstand this immense transformative wave.