Novel Full Chapter 1280: The Third Step of My Self-Created Dao, Chosen One (2)
Chapter 1280: The Third Step of My Self-Created Dao, Chosen One (2)
A figure in violet robes streaked across the endless void, his garments rippling.
“Dear,” a gentle voice resonated in his consciousness, “are we still set on competing for this Chaos Jade Crystal? According to our intelligence, Cloud Saint is also en route.”
“Cloud Saint?” The purple-robed figure chuckled with confidence. “Had we not secured the previous Chaos Jade Crystal, I might have hesitated to challenge him, especially by myself. His reputation is well-earned. But now that you’ve achieved a breakthrough with that Crystal, we could face even True Saint Luan Hai in combat with our combined might. Why should Cloud Saint concern us?”
“The Chaos Jade Crystal’s effects truly exceed all expectations,” his Dao companion agreed.
“It enabled your breakthrough in mere thousands of years. Should we acquire another, its impact on my self-created Dao could be monumental. I might even forge an ultimate technique in one brilliant stroke.” True Saint Luo Quan’s voice swelled with anticipation. “Then, when we vie for the Chaos Nucleus, our chances will be substantially greater. We’ll sweep aside all opposition.”
True Saint Luo Quan’s power was already fearsome, ranking third on the True Saint Rankings. Few could have anticipated that his Dao companion had also made a breakthrough with a Chaos Jade Crystal. In their estimation, this partnership had become nearly invincible.
…
This is the third time. True Saint Shen Yan thought to himself as he sliced through the void, his eyes burning with desperate longing. This is the third Chaos Jade Crystal I’ve sensed, and the final one to emerge. My last chance.
Chou Lie and several other formidable True Saints followed closely in his wake.
In matters of fortune, True Saint Shen Yan’s luck was a cruel irony—extraordinarily lucky to have sensed multiple Chaos Jade Crystals, yet cursed to encounter overwhelmingly powerful beings each time.
During his previous two attempts, fate had been merciless. Once, he collided with the Eldritch Court duo of Wu Yuan and True Saint Dong Yi. Another time, he confronted True Saint Yin Yu, who had already taken the fourth step of his self-created Dao.
Cloud Saint? True Saint Luo Quan? Shen Yan had received this intelligence as well, but still pressed forward, teeth gritted in determination. Their battle might create an opportunity for me.
…
A figure in pristine white robes cut through the darkness at a thousand times light speed, his expression frosty.
Cloud Saint seethed inwardly. Even a weakling like He Wu managed to obtain a Crystal, yet I have none? Rage bubbled beneath his composed exterior.
Among the five super powerhouses on the True Saint Rankings suspected to have taken the fourth step, excluding True Saint Tian Chan, who had abstained from entering the Tenth Chaos Void, the other three had all secured Chaos Jade Crystals. Only Cloud Saint remained empty-handed.
Not for lack of effort, but luck. Somehow, he had missed all eight previous Chaos Jade Crystals. Only now, with this ninth and final one, did opportunity finally beckon.
Luo Quan? His lips curved in contempt. Hmph! A mere nobody from the insignificant Eastmoon Megaverse, formerly ranked beyond the 100th place, dares to contend with me? His gaze hardened.
From Cloud Saint’s perspective, the fact that True Saint Luo Quan had already claimed one Chaos Jade Crystal yet hungered for another was pure greed.
With blinding speed, Cloud Saint hurtled forward. Soon, he could make out the distant ruined continent, enshrouded by an immense defense array.
…
As time flowed onward, True Saints gathered in increasing numbers outside the defense array. Powerful figures like Cloud Saint, True Saint Luo Quan, True Saint Shen Yan, and others arrived in succession.
True Saints from diverse major factions converged, silently plotting strategies to claim the final Chaos Jade Crystal. Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan observed each other with undisguised hostility, each recognizing the other as their primary adversary.
The defense array’s power had been thoroughly demonstrated. No True Saint, not even powerhouses like Luo Quan or Cloud Saint, dared recklessly intrude.
Meanwhile, at the array’s core, Wu Yuan observed the memory projections cast by over a hundred True Saints in the Eldritch Court Voidrealm. These were all True Saints who had come to compete for this Chaos Jade Crystal.
It seems that none of these hundreds of True Saints have detected my presence. He mused. Had they sensed him, figures like Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan would certainly not remain so composed.
How delightful. Wu Yuan thought with satisfaction. They scheme against each other, but when the array’s power dissipates and they discover I’ve been at its core all along, their expressions will be priceless. Few pleasures in life could compare to such moments.
Years melted away. In what seemed a mere breath, a thousand years had passed since the ninth Chaos Jade Crystal’s emergence. Nearly every True Saint within the vast affected region of spacetime had arrived; more than eight hundred in total.
The True Saint population in the Tenth Chaos Void had been dwindling continuously, likely falling below five thousand at the present moment. However, there was unprecedented interest in this final Crystal, far exceeding previous contests.
First, this represented the last Chaos Jade Crystal. Second, Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan were both present, promising an inevitable, bloody confrontation in the eyes of all observers.
“Both have taken the fourth step.”
“Their strength is truly formidable. Both are destined to become Dao Zenithels. In this battle, who will prove stronger?”
“Probably Cloud Saint. Even before taking the fourth step, he ranked second on the True Saint Rankings. He must outmatch True Saint Luo Quan.”
“The ninth Chaos Jade Crystal will likely fall into his hands. Many Immortal Court powerhouses are present to provide support.” Countless True Saints and Dao Zenithels observing through their voidrealms shared similar assessments.
By all appearances, Cloud Saint’s advantages seemed overwhelming.
Finally, with a subtle hum, the immense defense array spanning nearly ten billion li suddenly dissipated.
Instantly, the eight hundred-plus True Saints who had been vigilantly monitoring the array erupted into frenzied action.
“The defense array has vanished!”
“Prepare to seize it!”
“Charge!” Just as the True Saints surged forward, the swiftest among them, Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan, had already shot like lightning into the greatly weakened array.
The Chaos Jade Crystal lay within reach.
Then, a scene unfolded that defied every True Saint’s expectations.
At the array’s core, amid sprawling mountain ranges, a black-robed figure materialized before their eyes as the barrier dispersed.
In one fluid motion, he traversed tens of millions of li. With a single wave of his hand, channeling terrifying might, he shattered the seal on the Chaos Jade Crystal.
Whoosh! The black-robed figure pocketed the precious treasure.
Silence descended.
For one breathless moment, the entire void grew deathly still. Cloud Saint, True Saint Luo Quan, and all others stared in disbelief at the black-robed figure before them.
“My apologies, everyone,” Wu Yuan flashed a brilliant smile. “This time, I made it to the finish line first.”
Though puzzled by his phrasing, all True Saints instantly grasped the reality of what had transpired.
“It’s Wu Yuan!”
“True Saint Wu Yuan!”
“How could he appear directly at the array core? That should be impossible!” After the initial shock, the True Saints erupted into tumultuous outcry.
The situation felt surreal. Since the Primordium, through the openings of the Chaos Voids and dozens of emergences of Chaos Jade Crystals, never had such a scenario occurred.
Even the observing Dao Zenithels were taken aback.
“Wu Yuan has quite the stroke of fortune,” Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang remarked with a chuckle.
“Overflowing providence,” Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu mused. “As if the Chaos Jade Crystal was gifted to him. Truly, his providence prospers.”
The Dao Zenithel Eldritch Progenitors of the Eldritch Court marveled at Wu Yuan’s extraordinary luck.
“Mere dumb luck!” Imperial Majesty Dong Huo of the Immortal Court Voidrealm frowned. “Cloud Saint, seize that Crystal; better still if you can slay Wu Yuan in the process. Hold nothing back.”
“Understood,” Cloud Saint replied with cold determination.
…
“Such incredible fortune!”
“True Saint Wu Yuan is indeed worthy of being Primordium’s foremost genius. It seems even the Primordial Rules favor him in some mysterious way.” Countless observers sighed in wonder, eager for the unfolding drama.
Regardless of whether Wu Yuan ultimately retained the Chaos Jade Crystal, this incident would become a legend throughout the cosmic sea.
“Wu Yuan’s luck is extraordinary, but can he keep the Crystal?”
“It’s doubtful!”
“Under normal circumstances, given his strength, his chances would be excellent. The Eldritch Court also has over a hundred True Saints to support him.”
“But this time, he faces Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan, who appear to have joined forces.” The observing Dao Zenithels had already judged that Wu Yuan’s chances of retaining his prize were slim.
Not because Wu Yuan lacked strength, but because his opponents were too formidable. Over twenty of the top hundred True Saints from the Rankings had gathered, including two ranked in the top three. How could he possibly escape? Notably, the Eldritch Court’s strongest powerhouses, True Saint Dong Yi and True Saint Pu Yang, weren’t even present.
All attention was focused intensely on the imminent confrontation.
…
Within the Tenth Chaos Void, inside the vast defense array, over eight hundred True Saints transformed into streaks of light after the initial shock, rushing toward the interior.
“Stop True Saint Wu Yuan!”
“Just delay him briefly. Once True Saint Luo Quan and Cloud Saint arrive, they’ll surely defeat him.” Many True Saints calculated that opportunities would only arise after the top-rankers clashed.
Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan led the pursuit.
“Luo Quan, let’s form an alliance,” Cloud Saint proposed telepathically. “We’ll deal with Wu Yuan first, then compete for the Crystal afterward.”
“Agreed!” True Saint Luo Quan responded, sharing the same thought.
In his assessment, facing Wu Yuan alone would likely earn him profound enmity, which he preferred to avoid. After all, both he and his Dao companion had already taken the fourth step, reducing their need for the Crystal.
But with Cloud Saint sharing the animosity, the equation changed.
If we press him hard enough, Wu Yuan might negotiate with us, perhaps exchanging treasures for the Crystal. Compared to Cloud Saint, Wu Yuan might prefer dealing with me if cornered. Luo Quan thought inwardly.
The ancient rivalry between Eldritch Court and Immortal Court often created opportunities for other factions.
Despite their incredible speed, Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan immediately found themselves trapped in pockets of distorted spacetime upon entering the array, dramatically slowing their progress.
Strangely, some weaker True Saints encountered no such impediments.
No obstacles? Faster! I must go faster! True Saint Shen Yan surged forward at remarkable velocity, among the swiftest batch.
…
Deep within the array, Wu Yuan darted like lightning through the void.
The positions of Luo Quan and Cloud Saint…They’re heading this way. Though absolutely confident, Wu Yuan recognized that the most crucial treasure, the Chaos Nucleus, had yet to appear.
If he revealed his full might now, he risked becoming everyone’s target when the time came to compete for the Nucleus. So Wu Yuan preferred to conceal his true power for as long as possible.
If I take this route, I have a sixty percent chance of encountering Cloud Saint.
This path… As he fled, Wu Yuan frantically analyzed the trajectories of hundreds of pursuing True Saints, constantly adjusting his course based on their strength and direction.
This was all to avoid a premature confrontation with Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan. The longer he could delay such encounters, the better.
Wu Yuan seeks to evade me? Cloud Saint quickly realized this. Understandable. With his inferior power, how could he dare face me?
At this thought, Cloud Saint’s gaze hardened, his eyes flashing with unmistakable killing intent.
To him, this presented not just an opportunity to seize the Chaos Jade Crystal, but an ideal chance to eliminate Wu Yuan entirely.
“Stop him!”
“Cut him off from other directions!”Cloud Saint and True Saint Luo Quan continuously dispatched messages to other True Saints. Not only did powerhouses from the Immortal Court and Eastmoon Megaverse heed their commands, but many powerhouses from other factions also complied. All had one single goal: to corner Wu Yuan.
Most Standard True Saints, wary of Wu Yuan’s formidable reputation, moved cautiously, reluctant to engage directly and risk his wrath.
“Hurry!”
“Create openings for Wu Yuan!”
“Block the other True Saints!” The hundred-odd True Saints from the Eldritch Court strove to impede other factions, but their generally weaker strength and smaller numbers limited their effectiveness.
Finally, just four breaths after Wu Yuan had secured the Chaos Jade Crystal…
Hmm? Wu Yuan found himself face-to-face with two True Saints who had materialized suddenly before him.
“Here to stop me?” His voice was deadly calm. “Then prepare to die.”
A cold glint flashed in Wu Yuan’s eyes as he drew his saber with a casual flick of his wrist.