Yuan’s Ascension

Chapter 1364: Heavenly Venerable Yuan (Grand Finale Part 1)

Throughout his two trillion years of cultivation, Wu Yuan understood a fundamental truth: his body refiner self alone could never control the Ancestral Pagoda. Thus, beyond his usual cultivation, both his true selves also ceaselessly contemplated the combination of Void and Reality.

Over the years, his body refiner self approached the Perfect Dao’s limits. And together with the Saber of Oblivion, he created the ninth move of his ultimate technique—Ten Unified Daos. Meanwhile, his qi refiner self utilized the Samsara Platform to develop the Wheel of Spacetime.

Though the Wheel of Spacetime couldn’t match Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu’s Six Paths of Samsara in raw physical power, it incorporated subtle soul attacks that rendered it more unpredictable and enigmatic.

Perhaps most significant was Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self developing the third level of Psyche Destruction.

The combination of two true selves. Wu Yuan reflected. It resembles Eldritch Progenitors Zhu Rong and Gong Gong. Despite both only reaching Peak Dao Zenithel level, the ultimate move formed by their united will, Void of Flame and Tides, surpasses the domain ultimate moves of most Dao Zenithels.

My two true selves exceed their strength. The harmony between them transcends any comparison. Wu Yuan had first conceived this idea when witnessing the joint technique of the two Eldritch Progenitors long ago.

After much time and effort, he successfully combined the Wheel of Spacetime and Ten Unified Daos into his most formidable ultimate technique ever—Primordial Samsara.

It’s just a pity. The final version I envisioned would perfectly merge Psyche Destruction and Ten Unified Daos.

However, this challenge proved insurmountable. One technique represented the ultimate soul attack; the other, a near-perfect physical attack. Furthermore, they originated from separate bodies, making perfect fusion far more difficult than Wu Yuan had anticipated. Thus, he settled for Primordial Samsara as his ultimate move.

Before the Heavenly Imperator unleashed his full power, Wu Yuan had felt complete confidence. Now, he could only fight with everything he had.

Boom! The terrifying stream of light released by Wu Yuan’s combined true selves cut across heaven and earth, momentarily silencing the entire void.

Every observing Dao Zenithel’s expression changed. The technique’s power and conception transcended their understanding. Wu Yuan’s Ten Unified Daos already represented an ultimate move at the limit of the Dao Zenithel level, even brushing against the Primordium.

Could it grow stronger still? Could it truly reach the Grand Supreme level? Could two Dao Zenithels join forces to create such a feat?

A joint creation? The Heavenly Imperator murmured. Combining Void and Reality? With his perspective, he instantly grasped the ingenuity of Wu Yuan’s move.

Without hesitation, the Heavenly Imperator thrust the Original Sword forward.

Whoosh! Waves of destructive energy burst forth, forming a sword intent that stretched across the endless void. This terrifying display similarly caused the expressions of all Dao Zenithels to change.

The Heavenly Imperator had finally unleashed his full strength, truly recognizing the threat Wu Yuan posed. Wu Yuan genuinely possessed the ability to endanger his life.

Boom~ The two ultimate moves collided and dispersed in an instant. The soul attack imbued within Primordial Samsara immediately infiltrated the Heavenly Imperator’s body. His body wavered briefly before stabilizing.

In this exchange, the power of Wu Yuan’s combined true selves proved not merely equal to the Heavenly Imperator but slightly dominant.

All Dao Zenithels watched in disbelief. Despite wielding the Original Sword and holding an absolute advantage in mana, the Heavenly Imperator could only achieve a stalemate.

This suggested that Dao Zenithel Wu Yuan and Ming Jian’s jointly created ultimate move contained profundities surpassing even the Heavenly Imperator’s sword technique. Only through superior Dao could such a disadvantage in fundamentals be overcome.

…

“How is this possible?” The Immortal Court’s Dao Zenithels trembled in shock. “The Heavenly Imperator can’t suppress them?”

“How did Wu Yuan and Ming Jian manage to achieve such perfect fusion with their joint ultimate move? How is that even possible?!”

Even the Eldritch Court’s Dao Zenithels emerged from their earlier despair, equally dumbfounded.

“It took us dozens of samsara cycles to fuse our two ultimate moves,” Eldritch Progenitors Zhu Rong and Gong Gong exchanged shocked glances.

They had fused their ultimate moves perfectly, but only through coincidence and after substantial time. Most importantly, water and fire were inherently compatible Daos. Even so, their joint ultimate move remained unique throughout the cosmic sea, something other Dao Zenithels couldn’t replicate.

But Saint Yuan and Dao Zenithel Ming Jian’s Daos were vastly different! And how briefly had they been cultivating? All Dao Zenithels on the battlefield were filled with confusion. How had those two managed this seemingly impossible feat?

“Wan Yu, what do you think?” Imperial Majesty Dong Huo stared at the distant battle. “In terms of divination abilities, you’re unmatched across the cosmic sea.”

“The more powerful and complex the ultimate moves, the harder they are to combine,” Dao Zenithel Wan Yu replied with a gleam in his eyes. “Moreover, human hearts are complex. No matter how synchronized two hearts are, differences always remain. Perfect uniformity seems impossible.

“There are only two possibilities. First, they’re truly heaven-defying geniuses who, by chance, achieved perfect fusion.”

“The probability is too small,” Imperial Majesty Dong Huo shook his head.

“As for the second…” Dao Zenithel Wan Yu sighed. “Both are so exceptional, rising in the same samsara cycle, from the same universe. Their relationship is so close that they can exchange Xuanhuang Dao Treasures and surrender their home universe… We should have realized it long ago.

“I suspected it many times, but my divinations revealed nothing. Now it seems Daoist Tian Xu and Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu joined forces to conceal their fates early on.” Other than Daoist Tian Xu and Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, who else could have achieved this?

“If it’s true… Saint Yuan is simply too heaven-defying.” Worry flashed in Imperial Majesty Dong Huo’s eyes. “Can the Heavenly Imperator win?”

“We’ll see. Saint Yuan is incredibly strong, but the Heavenly Imperator is no less formidable.” Dao Zenithel Wan Yu stared intently as the battle unfolded.

…

“Di Jiang! Tell me, what exactly is Ming Jian and Saint Yuan’s relationship?” Great Emperor Yan Tuo transmitted to Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang, equally shocked.

“You’ve already guessed it. Why ask me to say it?” Eldritch Progenitor Di Jiang’s gaze burned as he watched the battle, silently praying. Wu Yuan, you must win!

Though the Immortal Court and Eldritch Court armies continued their frantic battle, victory couldn’t be determined quickly. All understood that the battle’s outcome no longer depended on them, but on the Heavenly Imperator and Wu Yuan.

One had dominated the cosmic sea across countless samsara cycles. The other had risen with dazzling brilliance, reaching the pinnacle of the cosmic sea in less than one samsara cycle.

Whichever side triumphed would decide the fate of the war.

…

Boom! Boom!

The void convulsed violently as the Primordial Rules fully retreated. Spacetime repeatedly shattered and reformed.

Wu Yuan’s two true selves united as one, combining their strengths in a coordinated assault. Each wielded Xuanhuang Dao Treasures, unleashing wave after wave of Primordial Samsara. Both sides were locked in a deadlock so intense it seemed neither could break free.

Below, all Dao Zenithels gazed upward at the spectacle, understanding that they were witnessing a clash between two beings who stood at the absolute pinnacle since the Primordial era. Even if Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu were to return to life, or if Goddess Nüwa were to reappear, neither would likely match the raw power displayed by the Heavenly Imperator and Wu Yuan.

Trillions of sword silhouettes howled through the void, once again intercepting the combined killing move of Wu Yuan’s true selves.

“Wu Yuan,” the Heavenly Imperator sighed, his voice resonating through the battlefield. “Your talent is truly inconceivable. You possess two true selves, each cultivating a combat body with an Eternal Psyche. Moreover, each true self has followed a different path, both reaching the limit of the Dao Zenithel level.” He fixed his gaze on Wu Yuan. “I truly admire you.”

“Hmph!” Wu Yuan responded with a cold snort, offering no further reply.

The Heavenly Imperator noted Wu Yuan’s lack of surprise. Primordial Samsara had already revealed too much, and combined with various clues from the past, other Dao Zenithels had likely deduced the truth as well.

However, since both his true selves had reached the Dao Zenithel stage, Wu Yuan no longer felt any fear about this secret getting exposed. He hadn’t revealed it before simply because there had been no need.

“Actually, I harbored suspicions very early on,” the Heavenly Imperator continued with a faint smile. “But at that time, you had Hou Tu’s protection, and I was in the Realm of Destruction, making it difficult to kill you. Also, I didn’t believe you could threaten me so quickly.

“I can see that your two true selves’ ultimate moves have begun to merge. Given more time, you might advance even further.”

Wu Yuan’s gaze turned frigid.

Indeed, time was what he lacked. With ten or a hundred samsara cycles to cultivate wholeheartedly, his strength would undoubtedly grow more formidable, and perhaps both true selves would break through.

“Unfortunately,” the Heavenly Imperator smiled suddenly, “you won’t have that chance.”

He swung his sword once more. Trillions of sword silhouettes reappeared, but this time they converged into one, forming a completely black sword light that stretched across the endless void. All sword intent and energy converged into a single entity: Sword of Destruction!

Wu Yuan’s two true selves unleashed their ultimate move once more, sending a massive streak of crimson light forth, colliding with the Sword of Destruction. The crimson light disintegrated layer by layer until it completely shattered.

What? Wu Yuan’s expression shifted subtly as he sensed the dramatic change in his opponent’s attack.

The destructive sword light flashed and vanished, striking Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self directly. Even after its power was greatly diminished from shattering Primordial Samsara, it still contained terrifying might.

Shhk! Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self flew back violently, countless cracks appearing on his divine body as blood flowed freely. Without the protection of the Xuanhuang Dao Treasure battle armor, even though his qi refiner self had cultivated a Xuanhuang Body, the difference in physical defense remained enormous. Had it been Wu Yuan’s body refiner self, he could have completely withstood the attack head-on.

“Die!” The Heavenly Imperator swung his sword again, too swiftly for Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self to escape.

Though the Heavenly Imperator’s flight speed couldn’t match Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self, the speed of the Original Sword’s strike surpassed him.

Retreat! Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self shot backward like lightning.

Meanwhile, his body refiner self charged madly toward the Heavenly Imperator.

“Even with two true selves, you can’t stop me. What can you do with just one?” The Heavenly Imperator laughed, his moves as casual as a cloud drifting across the sky.

Sword lights flashed through the void.

“Ten Unified Daos.”Wu Yuan’s body refiner self intoned, swinging the Saber of Oblivion to unleash his ultimate move, clashing with the sword lights. Immediately, a destructive force invaded his being. Even the Creation Origin Armor couldn’t completely weaken it. His divine body, tough as it was, shook violently, developing tiny cracks.

For the first time since this final battle began, Wu Yuan was injured. In a single exchange, his body refiner self was thoroughly suppressed by the Heavenly Imperator, the fight completely one-sided.

Wu Yuan’s body refiner self used the momentum to flee frantically. In the distant void, his qi refiner self, having avoided a fatal blow, continued to widen the distance between them.

“You won’t get far,” the Heavenly Imperator declared. “The samsara tribulation of the Nine Megaverses Spacetime continues unabated. Universe after universe approaches final destruction. My power will only grow stronger.” He transformed into a streak of light and gave chase, his speed increasing until it matched Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self.

…

The Dao Zenithels of the Immortal Court watched in shock and elation.

“So powerful!”

“That Dao Zenithel Ming Jian was actually Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self? The two of them are one person?” When they heard the Heavenly Imperator reveal this secret, all the Dao Zenithels finally understood completely.

“Ming Jian!”

“Wu Yuan!”

“Either one could be called the number one genius since the Primordium, yet they’re the same person?”

Such inconceivable talent exceeded the comprehension of many Dao Zenithels. It was precisely because they were one person that they could fuse their heaven-defying ultimate moves, even managing to contend with the Heavenly Imperator for a short time.

Yet the Heavenly Imperator remained unshakable, his power breaking through time and again, relentlessly suppressing Wu Yuan. Even the speed Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self once took pride in was now matched by the pursuing Heavenly Imperator.

“Flee!”

“Quick, go.” Great Emperor Yan Tuo, the Blood Emperor, and the others had completely surrendered hope, transforming into streaks of light as they fled desperately.

Even Wu Yuan himself was retreating. If they stayed, death was certain.

…

In the void, Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self fled like lightning, while his body refiner self was again overtaken by the Heavenly Imperator. Clearly, compared to his qi refiner self, the Heavenly Imperator considered Wu Yuan’s body refiner self the greater threat.

Time after time, he sent Wu Yuan’s body refiner self flying. Wu Yuan’s vital aura diminished sharply with each blow.

He’s getting stronger and stronger. Wu Yuan realized. As expected. When the samsara tribulation peaks, when the Nine Megaverses Spacetime reaches its end, the power of Great Destruction will reach its zenith, and the Heavenly Imperator’s strength will grow increasingly terrifying.

The combination of my two true selves’ ultimate techniques nearly forms a true Grand Supreme level technique, but my mana is far too inferior compared to a Grand Supreme. Wu Yuan had realized this crucial point: Against the Heavenly Imperator, even my body refiner self can’t endure for long.

Wu Yuan’s physical defense ultimately had its limits. He vaguely sensed that the Heavenly Imperator’s power likely already rivaled that of a true Grand Supreme. Perhaps he had not yet broken through in the order of life, but with the empowerment of the source of destruction and wielding the Original Sword, his combat power had reached that level.

I can’t escape. He has completely mastered the Original Sword, transcending numerous Great Daos. Even if my qi refiner self can flee temporarily, it won’t survive for long. Wu Yuan understood this, his eyes filling with endless determination. One final gamble.

In the extremely distant void, Wu Yuan’s mana body, which had been engaging other Immortal Court Dao Zenithels, suddenly erupted with endless radiance, as if burning from within.

Hum~ A pitch-black divine sword, seeming both real and illusory, appeared above his mana body’s head—Xuanhuang Dao Treasure: Samsara Sword!

The vital aura of Wu Yuan’s mana body diminished at an alarming rate as endless light poured into the Samsara Sword.

The third level of Psyche Destruction—burning oneself to annihilate the enemy.

In an instant, Wu Yuan’s mana body had completely sacrificed his soul essence, spirit, consciousness, and all his mana. Only a final thread of will remained. This sacrifice enabled the Samsara Sword to reach its ultimate sharpness, truly attaining its peak power.

“This?”

“What is this?” All the Dao Zenithels fell silent. Even Dao Zenithel Wan Yu and the fleeing Great Emperor Yan Tuo stared at this scene in shock.

Only Imperial Majesty Nan Guang gazed at the spectacle in utter disbelief, muttering, “Again?”

He sensed something familiar in this technique. Years ago, Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu had used a similar move to trap the Heavenly Imperator for over a hundred years.

The sword struck.

A dark sword light flashed and vanished, transcending spacetime. Power originating from Void laws left no room for evasion.

In an instant, it had penetrated the Heavenly Imperator’s body.