Yuan’s Ascension

When Wu Yuan first studied the seventy-three Thunder Beast Diagrams in Inner Region Area 3, he only suspected it. After all, there was only a slight overlap between the Dao patterns on the silver sphere and the Thunder Beast Diagrams.

Now, however, Wu Yuan was almost certain. The Dao patterns on the silver sphere overlapped far too closely with those in the Thunder Beast Diagrams on the stone walls in Area 1.

The similarity was uncanny, as if they had been cast from the same mold

Master wouldn’t deceive me. Wu Yuan thought. As a Sovereign of Life, the path he showed me surely leads to the pinnacle. The silver sphere perfectly unites the Dao profundities of True Domain, Longevity, and Celestial Body. There’s no mistake, this must be the complete Law of Life.

After years of contemplation, Wu Yuan was absolutely confident in this assessment. Wu Yuan's Dao comprehension now rivaled that of a High Immortal. It would be difficult for someone to deceive him when it came to comprehending the Dao.

He pondered and analyzed silently.

The profundities and artistic conception contained in every one of these Thunder Beast Diagram Dao patterns are truly profound. Wu Yuan mused. They bring each thunder beast on the stone walls to vivid life.And yet, they remain incomplete. Every Thunder Beast Diagram is incomplete.

Wu Yuan contemplated further. They pale in comparison to the perfection of the silver sphere.

These Thunder Beast Diagrams seemed to point to a path of immense profundity and power, leading straight to the pinnacle! A path even more vast and expansive than the Law of Life alone.

But the path revealed to Wu Yuan was incomplete. At least, what was shown in these Thunder Beast Diagrams was incomplete.

Still, even if this path is incomplete, how has no one else discovered this extraordinary cultivation path? How can the Greenridge Immortal World allow these Thunder Beast Diagrams to be displayed so openly? Wu Yuan wondered

Wu Yuan speculated that the Thunder Beast Diagrams must have some renown in the Greenridge Immortal World, especially within the Ling Huan Immortal Nation of the White Sea Immortal Continent.

However, even an ordinary Archimmortal or Astral Lord would likely fail to perceive their true nature, only finding them mysterious. Wu Yuan mused.

How mysterious? Beyond what an ordinary Archimmortal or Astral Lord could discern. It was only because Wu Yuan had comprehended three Intermediate Laws to some degree, and had the silver sphere's Dao patterns from Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi for comparison, that he could perceive their significance.

For other Archimmortals or Astral Lords, even if they fully grasped a Lesser Law, they would be unable to unravel its mysteries.

Indeed, 99% of Astral Monarchs who did not comprehend the Life Dao would struggle to understand it, only finding it inscrutable.

And monstrous prodigies like Wu Yuan appeared in the Greenridge Immortal World perhaps once every tens of thousands of years. What were the odds of one visiting the Thunder Marsh World? Astronomically low!

But even if they can't decipher it, surely they must recognize it as a treasure? Wu Yuan pondered.

After eons of exploration, the Astral Lords and Astral Monarchs of the Ling Huan Immortal Nation must have uncovered some of its secrets.

Nevermind, there’s no need to consider these issues for now.

These Thunder Beast Diagrams share many similarities with the cryptic patterns of Life on the silver sphere. Wu Yuan reflected. But they're too incomplete and profound… There's little point in trying to decipher them now, and I don't have time.

If I could fully comprehend the Thunder Beast Diagrams, it means I can fully comprehend the silver sphere's Dao patterns.

My priority now is to grasp the mysterious artistic conception within the Thunder Beast Diagrams. Wu Yuan reminded himself of his original goal.

Through that artistic conception, he would understand the combination of profundities within the Life Dao. Then he could properly study the Life Dao patterns on the silver sphere. This was Wu Yuan's true aim.

I'll try them one by one. Let's see which of these seventy-three Thunder Beast Diagrams suits me best. Wu Yuan calmed his mind and began to contemplate and analyze the diagrams.

…

Wu Yuan's body refiner self devoted most of its mental energy to comprehending each Thunder Beast Diagram.

Meanwhile, he split off a strand of consciousness, which entered the Cang Feng Eldritch Voidrealm.

It swiftly arrived at a special plane that 99% of Astral Lords in the entire eldritch voidrealm could not access.

Outside a majestic temple.

"Halt!"

"Wu Yuan, stop!" Two thunderous shouts rang out from the guards at the entrance of the temple. They barred Wu Yuan's path, as imposing as gods.

"Wu Yuan, though you are the Sovereign's disciple, you may not trespass into the Eldritch Sovereign Temple," one guard's voice boomed as he looked down at Wu Yuan.

"Divine Guard, the fact that I can visit this location proves I have the right to contact the Sovereign," Wu Yuan said with a slight bow. "Please inform the Sovereign that his disciple Wu Yuan has encountered issues with his cultivation and seeks guidance."

The two guards exchanged a glance

"Wait here," one guard turned and entered the temple

Wu Yuan waited patiently, his gaze sweeping his surroundings. This was Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi's residence in the eldritch voidrealm – the Eldritch Sovereign Temple. It was Wu Yuan's first visit since gaining access.

I hope Master won't reproach me. Wu Yuan muttered to himself.

Normally, Astral Monarchs and direct disciples had the right to visit the Eldritch Sovereign Temple. But in most cases, without summons from the Eldritch Sovereign, it was unwise to disturb him.

Of course, those with official duties were different. For example, Astral Monarch Xue Ying could report directly to the Eldritch Sovereign.

This exception also applied to disciples who had not yet undergone their Tribulations. Before completing one’s Tribulations, one's path remained uncertain, with many variables and potential threats. So the Eldritch Sovereign generally allowed them to visit him at any time.

A quarter hour passed.

"Wu Yuan, the Eldritch Sovereign will see you. You may enter," the guard flew out and approached Wu Yuan.

"Many thanks, Divine Guard," Wu Yuan bowed and strode forward.

He flew directly into the main hall of the towering temple.

Inside, massive pillars stood tall. The entire hall was vast and empty, with only a single figure clad in beast-hide sitting cross-legged on a jade platform at the far end.

His presence there was as boundless and unfathomable as heaven and earth itself.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan landed and bowed respectfully. “Disciple Wu Yuan pays respects to Master."

"Rise," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi looked down at Wu Yuan. "Weren't you on an expedition in the Greenridge Immortal World? Why have you come rushing to find me? Are you in danger?"

"Disciple is safe and sound," Wu Yuan said respectfully. "It's just that while exploring the Thunder Marsh World left behind by Astral Monarch Wan Lei, I discovered a very special type of Dao pattern diagram. I have some questions, and so wished to consult with Master."

As he spoke, Wu Yuan waved his hand.

Instantly, projections of the Thunder Beast Diagrams, shrunk to tens of meters in size, appeared behind him.

There were a total of 365 Thunder Beast Diagrams. However, these projections contained no trace of profundity or artistic conception.

"Master, these diagrams are called Thunder Beast Diagrams. They are..." Wu Yuan swiftly explained everything he knew.

Finally, Wu Yuan shared his speculation: "Based on my guess, there may be great secrets hidden within them. This incomplete path seems to encompass the Law of Life, or at least part of it. It gives disciple the feeling that it might be even more powerful than the Law of Life..."

The implications were momentous. Transcending the Greater Laws! Fully comprehending a Greater Law made one a Sovereign at the peak of the macrocosm. A secret surpassing the Greater Laws?

As soon as doubts arose, Wu Yuan immediately decided to consult his Master. It concerned the very foundation of cultivation. Wu Yuan worried that rashly trying to comprehend it on his own might lead him astray.

"Thunder Beast Diagrams?" Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi listened silently to Wu Yuan's explanation before finally revealing a mysterious smile. "You truly have great providence. On a single journey, out of countless world secrets, you encountered an Essence Diagram Relic."

"Essence Diagram Relic?" Wu Yuan was stunned, not understanding what his master meant.

But he had caught a crucial piece of information: his master seemed to have some understanding of what these Thunder Beast Diagrams were.

"Indeed. I haven't personally seen the Thunder Beast Diagrams you describe and cannot judge with complete certainty. But based on your description, I'm 90% sure they are Essence Diagrams," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi gazed at Wu Yuan.

"Essence Diagram Relics are no secret. Across the entire macrocosm, there are dozens of similar relics, though not quite a hundred.

In our eldritch world alone, I know of six such relics. Some were left behind by powerful beings, others are manifestations of the Essence Great Dao... They are precious and rare, true, but their utility is somewhat limited," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi explained. "For most Essence Diagram Relics in our eldritch world, we simply ensure their existence and prevent their destruction.

As for your Thunder Beast Diagrams, they were likely left behind by that Astral Monarch Wan Lei.

No wonder he was so formidable in his day, yet perished so early. It seems he too chose to walk this divergent path, and was ultimately unable to break through," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi shook his head slightly. "How tragic and lamentable.

The information you've provided about the Thunder Beast Diagrams in the Thunder Marsh World was previously unknown to our eldritch world. After all, the vast majority of our attention has been focused on the Voltari Temple, with little regard for the Greenridge Immortal World," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly, but was quite shocked internally.

So, there were actually quite a few relics similar to the Thunder Beast Diagrams throughout the macrocosm. Of course, this referred to absolute numbers. In terms of probability, none might be found within hundreds of spacetime boundaries of immortal nations.

Master Kua Chi is truly an Eldritch Sovereign that stands at the peak of the macrocosm. His perspective is unparalleled. Wu Yuan marveled inwardly.

He had initially thought the Thunder Beast Diagrams he discovered were some extraordinary secret.

However, the fact that Master Kua Chi knew about this secret was within Wu Yuan's expectations. After all, his master had lived for ten billion years and stood at the pinnacle of the macrocosm. How many secrets could truly remain unknown to him? Very few indeed.

"There are some things I usually wouldn’t tell my disciples about so early. They’re of little significance and will only add to your worries. But since you've encountered a Dao essence Relic and it happens to involve the Law of Life, and you've come to consult me on it, I'll share a thing or two," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi calmly said.

"You should know that Lesser Laws merge to form Intermediate Laws. And numerous Intermediate Laws merge to create Greater Laws..."

Wu Yuan listened intently.

"Whether Lesser Laws or Greater Laws, they all have their Dao essence within the vast heaven and earth," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi explained.

"Dao essence is the core of the workings of heaven and earth. Immortal cultivators are essentially comprehending the profundities of the Dao essence.

Dao essence is near-eternal. Take the qi refining Astral Lords, Astral Monarchs, and even the Sovereigns. The reason they possess near-eternal lifespans is that their Yuan Soul imprints are branded upon the Dao essence," Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said softly. "As long as the Dao essence exists, one's Yuan Soul imprint remains indestructible, enduring as long as heaven and earth."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

This information was confidential. Yet, given his current level of authority, it wasn't entirely a secret to him.