Yuan’s Ascension

As if sensing Wu Yuan's confusion, Sword Immortal Dong Yang spoke. "Just as Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi selects disciples with the potential to comprehend the Life Dao, or at least one of the three Intermediate Laws of Life, your Grandmaster Bei You does the same," Sword Immortal Dong Yang explained with a wane smile.

"He chooses disciples with the goal of guiding them to fully comprehend the Space Dao."

"In my younger days, I showed considerable aptitude for the Space Dao," Sword Immortal Dong Yang reminisced. "However, due to various circumstances, I ultimately chose not to continue down that path."

"Instead, I used my foundation in the Space Dao to pivot to the Life Dao, successfully grasping the Domain stage of the Life Dao. Naturally, this incurred your grandmaster's wrath. He has a domineering nature and dislikes when disciples defy him." A hint of nostalgia flickered in Sword Immortal Dong Yang's eyes, as if reliving a day from 260,000 years ago.

Wu Yuan listened intently, sensing Master Dong Yang's rebellious spirit. Even when an Immortal Sovereign pointed the way, he chose his own path.

Simultaneously, Wu Yuan began to understand why he had never heard of Master Dong Yang excelling in the Celestial Body or Longevity Daos.

In his early years, Master Dong Yang was renowned for his Space sword techniques and Metal sword techniques.

"Your grandmaster grew displeased with me and ceased summoning me.

Over the next several hundred thousand years, I endured numerous trials and made some progress in the Life Dao. It was only recently that your grandmaster accepted me back," Sword Immortal Dong Yang said with a smile.

Wu Yuan listened. His master’s words encompassed hundreds of thousands of years of his past, hinting at the countless experiences he must have endured.

"Initially, your grandmaster paid little attention to you," Sword Immortal Dong Yang looked at Wu Yuan. "After all, you are already a core member of the Eldritch Court."

"Yes, Master Kua Chi mentioned that to me," Wu Yuan nodded.

"However, this time, you displayed talent in the Space Dao while still at the Amethyst Cradle phase, which piqued his interest," Sword Immortal Dong Yang smiled.

"The Law of Space... it's nearly impossible to discern one's aptitude for it before reaching the Divided Soul Dharma Body phase. Yet you've shown promise at the Amethyst Cradle phase."

Wu Yuan understood now. So, Immortal Sovereign Bei You's interest in meeting him stemmed from his early display of affinity for the Space Dao.

"Don't worry too much. The Eternal Sun Immortal World is part of the divine court headquarters, but we maintain our independence. Besides, your grandmaster's desire to nurture you has nothing to do with the divine court," Sword Immortal Dong Yang reassured. "When you go to the Bei You Realm, you won't be forced to enter the Divine Hall."

Wu Yuan nodded gently.

The Divine Hall was where the Eternal Sun Immortal World trained its core talents. However, due to the relatively little competition in the Eternal Sun Immortal World, its scale and cultivation resources were far less than those of the Origin Eldritch Field or Immortal Hall.

"Your growth rate has far exceeded my expectations, and your talent surpasses mine when I was your age," Sword Immortal Dong Yang smiled. "You've grasped both the Celestial Body True Intent and Longevity True Intent in less than a century."

"I believe you'll be able to grasp the Life True Intent within a few thousand years at most."

Wu Yuan's heart stirred.

Master Dong Yang's assessment aligned closely with Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi's expectations.

"When you meet your grandmaster, he will undoubtedly guide you on the path of the Space Dao," Sword Immortal Dong Yang said. "Your talent in the Space Dao might be exceptional.

Your Master Kua Chi, on the other hand, surely expects you to pursue the Life Dao.

But let me offer you some advice – whether you ultimately choose the Life Dao or the Space Dao, listen to your heart.

Heed the words of the powerful, but don't blindly follow them. Follow your own path, and you'll have the potential to go further," Sword Immortal Dong Yang gazed at Wu Yuan.

"Only with passion in your heart can you reach the pinnacle. Without dedication, it's difficult to walk a path to its end."

"Thank you, Master," Wu Yuan replied solemnly, recognizing that Sword Immortal Dong Yang was speaking from personal experience.

He found himself agreeing with Master Dong Yang's philosophy.

"Master, how far have you progressed in your comprehension of the Life Dao?" Wu Yuan couldn't resist asking.

"Not very far, still a long way from fully comprehending it," Sword Immortal Dong Yang shook his head.

Wu Yuan nodded.

"Just the seventh-level Dao Field stage," Sword Immortal Dong Yang added. [1]

Wu Yuan was left speechless.

…

Time flowed on, and more than a day passed in the blink of an eye.

Whoosh! The surrounding space underwent a dramatic transformation as they rapidly descended from the Vacuum Spatial Layer to the Material Spatial Layer.

Soon, the sight of a vast, boundless world greeted Wu Yuan's eyes.

"Is this the Bei You Realm?" Wu Yuan curiously surveyed the world below, its expanse seemingly endless, stretching beyond the limits of his vision. It had to span tens of billions of li at least.

"The entire Bei You Realm, in terms of size, is comparable to the Redmoon Immortal Continent. It's not particularly large," Sword Immortal Dong Yang explained.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

In terms of size, the Cang Feng Continent was the largest physical landmass he had ever seen, spanning hundreds of billions of li across. In terms of area, it could rival hundreds of immortal continents.

"I possess a token that allows me entry. Otherwise, even an Astral Monarch has no way of entering," Astral Monarch Huo Cang smiled. "Junior Brother, Ming Jian, let's go visit Master right away."

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Astral Monarch Huo Cang led Sword Immortal Dong Yang and Wu Yuan, swiftly traversing the space to the very center of the Bei You Realm–a mountain range stretching over a million li.

The mountain range floated more than ten million li above the ground, with layer upon layer of intricate formations, resembling a colossal dragon swimming through the void.

This vast mountain range was dotted with numerous pavilions, terraces, and halls, yet there were few immortal cultivators in sight.

"Your grandmaster has taken many disciples. To date, he has accepted over ten thousand," Astral Monarch Huo Cang explained with a smile. "Of course, nearly ninety percent have perished. Not many have become Astral Monarchs. As for third, fourth, and fifth generation disciples, there are even more. In total, the number likely exceeds ten billion."

Wu Yuan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

Over ten thousand disciples? More than ten billion? Compared to Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi, this Immortal Sovereign Bei You truly lived up to the reputation of accepting disciples far and wide, teaching without discrimination.

"Of course, while there are many disciples in our lineage, few truly gain your grandmaster's recognition and the right to establish a grotto in the Bei You Mountain. Apart from us second-generation disciples who have successfully overcome our Tribulations, only a few hundred third and fourth-generation disciples have established grottos," Astral Monarch Huo Cang explained.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

From this perspective, only those who had earned the right to establish a grotto in the Bei You Mountain could truly be considered disciples of the Bei You lineage.

The three swiftly entered the mountain range.

From afar, the mountain range appeared teeming with halls and pavilions, yet as they drew near, the scarcity of cultivators became apparent.

Silence pervaded the air.

"Though we've carved out grottos here, the vast majority of disciples spend their time roaming the world outside," Sword Immortal Dong Yang remarked with a chuckle. "Take your Senior Uncle Huo Cang, for instance. He's established a vast immortal nation, ruling over it."

"Brother, that's called carrying on the sect's legacy," Astral Monarch Huo Cang retorted with a glare.

Layer upon layer of security barriers lined their path. But naturally, these posed no hindrance to the trio. Finally, they arrived before an imposing hall at the heart of the mountain range.

Two divine generals stood guard here, their auras overwhelmingly powerful – both Archdeities.

"Senior Uncle," they greeted respectfully, bowing to Astral Monarch Huo Cang and Sword Immortal Dong Yang. Clearly, they were third-generation disciples.

Their gazes then fell upon Wu Yuan.

"Greet your Senior Brothers," Sword Immortal Dong Yang instructed Wu Yuan.

"Greetings, Senior Brothers," Wu Yuan promptly complied.

"Haha! This must be Junior Brother Ming Jian," the taller, lean Archdeity smiled. "We've heard tales of your exploits. You've brought great prestige to our Bei You lineage. In time, you'll surely ascend to the Astral Monarch level."

Their intelligence network was impressively thorough.

"Come, let's enter," Astral Monarch Huo Cang urged. The three swiftly crossed the corridor and entered the grand hall.

Within the hall, a solitary figure in black robes sat upon a jade platform. He appeared to be a middle-aged man with a square jaw, his aura ethereal and profound, as if he were the physical manifestation of the vast heaven and earth.

Wu Yuan's heart remained calm. Having met Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi, encountering other Sovereign-level beings no longer rattled him as much as before.

"We pay our respects to Master," Astral Monarch Huo Cang and Sword Immortal Dong Yang bowed reverently.

"I pay my respects to Grandmaster," Wu Yuan followed suit.

"Mm." On the jade platform, Immortal Sovereign Bei You opened his eyes, his gaze falling directly upon Wu Yuan.

In the next instant, a flicker of surprise flashed across his pupils. However, it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"Huo Cang, Dong Yang, you may withdraw. I have matters to discuss with Ming Jian alone," Immortal Sovereign Bei You spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Yes, Master," Though puzzled, Astral Monarch Huo Cang and Sword Immortal Dong Yang dared not disobey and swiftly retreated.

In the hall, only Wu Yuan and Immortal Sovereign Bei You remained.

"Your Apotheosis Yuan Soul–you achieved this breakthrough on the entry-level battlefield?" Immortal Sovereign Bei You inquired nonchalantly. "For one so young to weather the Apotheosis Yuan Soul Tribulation, your Dao Heart must be extraordinary."

Wu Yuan's heart skipped a beat in shock.

Heavens! Even Master Kua Chi hadn't detected his Apotheosis Yuan Soul, yet this Grandmaster Bei You discerned it at one glance?

Of course, Wu Yuan couldn't be certain of Master Kua Chi's true capabilities. After all, Master Kua Chi had never met his qi refiner self in the flesh.

"There’s no need for astonishment or concern," Immortal Sovereign Bei You smiled faintly. "The stronger one becomes, especially after establishing a Voidspace and internal shambhala, the more one unconsciously obscures traces of their past and destiny. This makes tracing them increasingly difficult.

An Apotheosis Yuan Soul plays a particularly important factor in this. Other Immortal Sovereigns attempting to trace your past timeline would struggle to glimpse a fraction of it.

However, I have mastered the Space Dao. Space and Time are inseparable. In terms of past retracing and future divination, I stand unrivaled in the entire Greenridge Macrocosm," Immortal Sovereign Bei You smiled. "Thus, you cannot escape my perception. But once you truly become a High Immortal, even I will find it challenging."

Wu Yuan listened in silent awe, marveling at the inconceivable abilities of an Immortal Sovereign who had mastered the Space Dao.

"No wonder Kua Chi took you as his disciple. Your natural talent is indeed exceptional. Throughout the long ages since the inception of this macrocosm, among countless prodigies, you rank among the top," Immortal Sovereign Bei You smiled.

"You may be a core member of the Eldritch Court. However, you have addressed me as Grandmaster, so I shall, in that capacity, offer you the same opportunity as your other Senior Uncles."

1. Yes, I checked, holy hell ☜