Yuan’s Ascension

In the Cang Feng Eldritch Voidrealm, Wu Yuan stood within the personal hall of his qi refiner self, bowing respectfully. "Master," he greeted.

"I see you've met Astral Monarch Xue Ying," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi remarked, his form shimmering like a mirage, his smile enigmatic.

Wu Yuan nodded, his mind swirling with questions.

"No need to be perplexed," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi continued. "Xue Ying is the chief of intelligence of our Cang Feng Eldritch World. The Dao he comprehends is a unique one, and you'll work with him often in the future.

Among the many Astral Monarchs in the eldritch world, only he knows about your two true selves with certainty. Even Hou Qu merely has suspicions, lacking concrete proof."

Wu Yuan's surprise deepened. The chief of intelligence for the entire eldritch world? With a moment's reflection, one could quickly understand how high Xue Ying's status was. Undoubtedly, he ranked among the top Astral Monarchs.

"I've come here to discuss several matters with you," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said, his gaze steady on his disciple. "Your performance in the entry-level battlefield exceeded my expectations."

"It was all thanks to your guidance, Master," Wu Yuan replied humbly.

Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi’s lips curved in a faint smile. "First, I must inform you that Astral Monarch Huo Cang is on his way. He will escort your qi refiner self to the heart of the Eternal Sun Immortal World to meet another Immortal Sovereign named Bei You."

"Immortal Sovereign Bei You?" Wu Yuan's eyes flickered with confusion. He had never heard this name before.

"He is one of the peak powerhouses in the Eternal Sun Immortal World, with power rivaling my own," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi explained. "He also bears another title—you may address him as Grandmaster."

"What? Grandmaster?" Wu Yuan’s shock was palpable.

His mind raced. Could it be that Master Kua Chi was Bei You's disciple? No, that didn't seem right.

In a flash of insight, Wu Yuan realized—this Immortal Sovereign Bei You must be Master Nan Yin's master. It was the only possibility that made sense.

And yet!

Something doesn't add up. Wu Yuan's thoughts tumbled over each other. Master Nan Yin is a Sixth Tribulation High Immortal. How could he possibly be the disciple of an Immortal Sovereign? Even Archimmortal Long Xing wouldn't qualify.[1]

If Bei You’s status matched Master Kua Chi’s, most of his disciples would surely be Astral Monarchs.

A High Immortal as a disciple? Such a person would have to be an unparalleled monstrous prodigy among High Immortals, truly destined to be an Astral Monarch themselves. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be worthy of becoming an Immortal Sovereign’s disciple.

Was Master Nan Yin truly such a figure?

Yet, in that moment, Wu Yuan understood why Master Nan Yin’s connections were so vast and his Dao comprehension so profound. To think, he was actually the disciple of an Immortal Sovereign!

Master Nan Yin has hidden his true background well. Wu Yuan marveled silently.

Another thought struck him. But how could Master Nan Yin, with such an identity and power, have never revealed even a hint of it before?

Wu Yuan found it hard to believe.

In that instant, a possibility he had previously dismissed entirely resurfaced in his mind…

"Wu Yuan," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Master."

"Your qi refiner self possesses extraordinary talent. Immortal Sovereign Bei You will nurture you. This recent display of your abilities was partly for his benefit," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi explained. "Though you cannot become a core member of the Taiyuan Divine Court, your connection to Immortal Sovereign Bei You cannot be broken.

Your qi refiner self once swore allegiance to the Taiyuan Divine Court. In a sense, I stole you from his grasp," Master Kua Chi said with a wry smile.

Wu Yuan listened intently.

"When you go, remember this: your qi refiner self is a member of the Eternal Sun Immortal World," Master Kua Chi continued slowly. "Immortal Sovereign Bei You is your grandmaster, but you are not a core member of the divine court headquarters.

Oaths are relative, mainly affecting your Dao Heart," Master Kua Chi added.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly, beginning to grasp his Master's meaning.

"This approach is primarily to protect your qi refiner self," Master Kua Chi explained. "By being a core member of both major factions, the likelihood of the Voltari Temple targeting your qi refiner self diminishes greatly.

Therefore, remember: apart from your other Master and Immortal Sovereign Bei You, do not let anyone else know about your two true selves."

Wu Yuan nodded in understanding.

"The second matter concerns the Bronze Immutable Token in your possession," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said.

"Initially, I had intended for your qi refiner self to venture on the expedition. However, I’ve observed that your qi refiner self’s immortal root has been upgraded to the first degree," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi stated lightly.

"Master has keen insight," Wu Yuan replied, wondering how he would explain himself.

"Excellent." Contrary to Wu Yuan's expectations, Master Kua Chi didn’t inquire further. Instead, he said, "Now that you have a first-degree immortal root, sending your qi refiner self would be somewhat wasteful. The gains might be minimal."

"Is the Immutable Land related to one's immortal root?" Wu Yuan asked, puzzled.

"Soon, I will transmit the relevant information to your body refiner self. You'll understand then," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said. "My recommendation is for your body refiner self to hold the token and venture there."

"I’ll follow your guidance, Master," Wu Yuan agreed readily. It made no difference to him which of his true selves went.

"But Master, the Immutable Token is already bound to my qi refiner self. Will it work for my body refiner self?" Wu Yuan couldn't help but ask.

Though his two true selves shared one consciousness, their souls were distinct.

"Rest assured," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said calmly. "The wonders of the Immutable Land surpass your imagination. It will recognize you."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

"The third matter concerns the Legendary artifact you wish to redeem.

What we call 'Legendary' is merely so for those at the Golden Core and Amethyst Cradle phases," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi explained. "You have 3.2 billion ethercrystal laurels. I've already instructed Astral Monarch Xue Ying to bring an artifact.

Exchange all your ethercrystal laurels for this artifact. It will be more than worth the price. In a sense, you can consider it my reward to your qi refiner self," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said.

"Yes, Master," Wu Yuan nodded.

He had been wondering which artifact he should redeem. Now it seemed his Master had already planned and prepared for it.

This was perfect; Wu Yuan naturally trusted his master's judgment.

"Additionally, I must remind you. For qi refiners, the greatest advantage of a first-degree immortal root over second or third-degree roots is the ability to refine and wield stronger lifebound artifacts at earlier phases," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi continued.

"I will provide you with a detailed list of treasures needed for the optimal evolution pathway to upgrade a first-grade spirit flying sword to the spirion equipment level.

However, it’s up to you to obtain these treasures," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said slowly. "I will only offer guidance, not additional treasures."

"Thank you, Master," Wu Yuan said respectfully.

He understood what Master Kua Chi meant.

The path was lit, but he must walk it himself.

Still, Wu Yuan felt a surge of excitement. It was well established that as cultivators progressed, Amethyst Cradle cultivators with second or third-degree immortal roots, like those with fifth or sixth-degree roots, could only evolve their artifacts into first-grade spirit equipment at most.

To upgrade an artifact to the spirion equipment level? One must reach the Void Refiner phase.

So, a first-degree immortal root has this special feature. Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

Upon reflection, it made sense. A first-degree immortal root represented perfection. Even a non-innate first-degree immortal root possessed extraordinary properties.

"Later, hand the Bronze Immutable Token to Astral Monarch Xue Ying, and he will give you the artifact I’ve prepared," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said calmly.

Wu Yuan nodded.

"That concludes our business. For the next few days, wait at the Blood Eldritch Temple. When Astral Monarch Huo Cang arrives from the Eternal Sun Immortal World, your qi refiner self will leave with him," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said.

"If anything urgent arises, inform me at once."

"Understood," Wu Yuan nodded.

"Is there anything else?" Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi asked.

"Master, do the Celestial Body Dao and Longevity Dao originate from the same Greater Law?" Wu Yuan seized the opportunity to ask this question that had plagued him for days.

Even his body refiner self, doing his research in the eldritch voidrealm, had uncovered only fragments of information.

"I see the perfect combination of two True Intents has led you to this insight," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi remarked, a hint of approval in his voice. "Indeed, they do stem from a single Greater Law."

Wu Yuan's heart thundered in his chest.

"In the vast tapestry of heaven and earth, nine fundamental Greater Laws stand out: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Space, and Time," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi explained.

“Nine is the pinnacle of numbers, representing completeness," he continued. "These nine Greater Laws remain distinct, rarely overlapping. They are the focus of countless immortal cultivators and even immortals in their pursuit of Dao comprehension."

Wu Yuan listened intently, absorbing each word. Some of this information was familiar, while other parts were entirely new. It was clear that as his power grew, his master deemed him ready to receive higher-level knowledge.

"Each Greater Law can be divided into several Intermediate Laws, and these, in turn, branch into numerous Lesser Laws," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi elaborated, his voice measured. "To comprehend a Dao to the Dao Field stage signifies a deep mastery of its profundities. Even a single Lesser Law is unfathomably profound.

Fully comprehending one Lesser Law forms the foundation of an Archimmortal. Those who reach the pinnacle of Archimmortals are granted the title of Astral Lord and can effortlessly live for billions of years, barring untimely deaths," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi explained.

"Fully comprehending an Intermediate Law typically leads to becoming an Astral Monarch. Such beings are super powerhouses, high-ranking figures in various factions across the macrocosm," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi continued.

"Those who command a complete Greater Law earn the right to be called Sovereigns," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi's eyes met his disciple's. "Whether Eldritch Sovereign, Immortal Sovereign, Devil Sovereign, or Deity Sovereign—regardless of cultivation system or faction—they are uniformly known as Sovereign-level.

Sovereigns stand at the apex of the entire macrocosm. They are the leaders of the seven top-tier factions, though a few reclusive Sovereigns exist—true supreme beings whom none dare provoke.”

Wu Yuan listened, awe-struck. So Master Kua Chi's level was collectively known as Sovereign-level, requiring mastery of a Greater Law?

"The workings of heaven and earth, the interweaving of all things, the unity of all Daos—this is the true essence of the complete Dao of heaven and earth," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi continued.

"Thus, beyond the nine most common Greater Laws, when certain Intermediate Laws merge, they can create special Greater Laws," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi revealed.

Wu Yuan's eyes lit up. Special Greater Laws?

"There are six special Greater Laws," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said, his voice slow and deliberate. "The Lunar Dao, the Solar Dao, the Slaughter Dao, the Death Dao, the Life Dao, and the Karma Dao. In total, there are fifteen Greater Laws in heaven and earth.”

Wu Yuan's mind reeled at this revelation. So, beyond the nine common Greater Laws, there were six special ones.

"The six special Greater Laws are more commonly explored by Astral Monarchs, with many attempting to comprehend them," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi continued. "However, few Archimmortals contemplate them."

"As for immortal cultivators? Throughout endless ages, few have even reached their initiate thresholds," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi added.

"The Longevity Dao and Celestial Body Dao you've comprehended, if combined with mastery of an Intermediate Law of Space, would merge into one. Add to that the profundities of Life, and you'd have the complete Life Dao," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi's voice softened, his gaze intent.

"This is the path I walk, and also the path your other master initially envisioned for you," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi's gaze settled on Wu Yuan. "Your progress has surpassed even our greatest expectations."

So, by grasping aspects of the Law of Earth, the Law of Wood, and the Law of Space, then contemplating the profundities of Life, one can comprehend the Life Dao? Wu Yuan's understanding crystallized.

Truly, the myriad Daos of heaven and earth were interwoven, inseparable.

1. Long Xing = Dragon Star ☜

Whysee's Thoughts

For reference:

Lesser Law

Intermediate Law

Greater Law

Domain = initiate threshold

x

x

True Intent

Domain = initiate threshold

x

Dao Field (1st level = Earth Immortal, 4th level = High Immortal)

True Intent

Domain = initiate threshold

(Completion) = Archimmortal

Dao Field (7th level = peak-stage Archimmortal = Astral Lord)

True Intent

x

(Completion) = Astral Monarch

Dao Field

x

x

(Completion) = Sovereign

Nine most common Greater Laws: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Space, and Time.

special Greater Laws: The Lunar Dao, the Solar Dao, the Slaughter Dao, the Death Dao, the Life Dao, and Karma Dao

Eldritch Court Camp

Immortal Court Camp Equivalent

Cang Feng Eldritch World

Voltari Temple

Origin Eldritch Fields

Immortal Halls

Blood Eldritch World

(Not stated)

Blood Eldritch Temple (main camp of Eldritches)

War Temple