Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 718: Greater Dao Body (2)

"Back to you," Sovereign Lan Yan's gaze returned to Wu Yuan. "With your talent, any Sovereign would eagerly accept you as a direct disciple. None of my numerous disciples can compare to even a tenth of your potential.

But the Dao Master is different. Among the Supreme Geniuses born throughout the river of space and time, most can reach the pinnacle of the Sovereign phase. But those who ultimately transcend beyond it can be counted on one's fingers." Sovereign Lan Yan said solemnly. "Thus, the Dao Master rarely takes on successors."

Wu Yuan nodded lightly.

With each samsara cycle of heaven and earth, even Sovereigns of immense power would eventually fall and perish. Transcendence was the only way out.

"Your talent should be sufficient. Historically, there are very few geniuses who surpass you. At least in the history of the Spacetime Island and the Dao Realm, you stand as the most talented individual. But you're not native to the Dao Realm... so it's hard to say what the Dao Master himself will think," Sovereign Lan Yan mused. "He might acknowledge you, or he might dislike some aspect of you."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

From the Dao Master's perspective, standing at the pinnacle of the endless river of space and time, having even experienced multiple samsaras of heaven and earth... Accepting disciples was no longer just about talent, but likely more about fate.

If he took a liking to someone, he would accept them as a successor. If he felt no connection, what did it matter how great their talent was? He might not look favorably upon them. After all, nurturing someone to the peak of the Sovereign phase probably made little difference to beings of his level.

But there's still hope. Wu Yuan thought to himself. The fact that the Dao Master created the Spacetime Island proves he's open to selecting successors. With his guidance, my chances of becoming a Sovereign in the future will naturally increase.

The Dao Master was, after all, the first being in all of history to master the Great Dao of Spacetime, an unfathomable being.

"Oh, right. There's another source of hope," Sovereign Lan Yan added. "The Megaverse Crossroads."

"Megaverse Crossroads?" Wu Yuan asked, puzzled. He had never heard of it before.

"It's a grand opportunity," Sovereign Lan Yan explained. "It opens once every 5.5 billion years, a major opportunity presented by the workings of heaven and earth. Each time it opens, providence intertwines, often heralding an era of prodigies, with numerous monstrous prodigies emerging."

Once every 5.5 billion years? Wu Yuan held his breath. It was an impossibly long span of time.

"Those like you who managed to rise in strength so swiftly might be blessed by the providence of the impending Megaverse Crossroads," Sovereign Lan Yan said.

"Normally, a genius like you would become a truly invincible prodigy among High Immortals after cultivating for hundreds of thousands of years. But in this era, there are likely other monstrous prodigies of your caliber as well.

A special individual like Zhuo Haiyue may also not be the only one of her kind," Sovereign Lan Yan mused. "In the end, most will gather at the Megaverse Crossroads. This is an ineffable and grand opportunity from heaven and earth.

Top-tier major factions like your Taiyuan Divine Court, as well as the Immortal Court and Eldritch Court, will place immense importance on it. After it ends, a great number of Sovereigns will often subsequently emerge."

Wu Yuan listened intently.

It seemed this Megaverse Crossroads was a grand opportunity arising from the workings of heaven and earth, aimed at those who had yet to become true immortals?

"May I ask, Sovereign, how long do I have left until it begins?" Wu Yuan inquired curiously.

"At the earliest, ten thousand years; at the latest, two or three hundred thousand years. It's quite close," Sovereign Lan Yan shook her head. "The passage of time is long, and it's impossible to pinpoint exactly. Perhaps the Dao Master could divine it, but I cannot."

Wu Yuan fell silent. Whether it was ten thousand or hundreds of thousands of years, it was a long time for him, who had only lived for over seven hundred years.

"Strength is not the only factor that determines one’s performance at the Megaverse Crossroads; how well one does also depends on fortune and providence," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled. "Providence is crucial.

When the Crossroads open in the future, you'll certainly be recalled to your divine court headquarters. They'll have more detailed intelligence, as they always send numerous geniuses to participate. In contrast, far fewer people from my Dao Realm participate," Sovereign Lan Yan explained.

Wu Yuan nodded, "Thank you for your guidance, Sovereign."

If not for Sovereign Lan Yan, he wouldn't have known about these matters.

"Have you decided on your cultivation plans moving forward?" Sovereign Lan Yan smiled.

"I haven't thought it through yet," Wu Yuan shook his head, then respectfully added, "I hope you can offer some advice, Sovereign."

Wu Yuan wasn't a fool. Sovereign Lan Yan's willingness to meet him and provide so much information showed that she thought highly of Wu Yuan. She was likely no less knowledgeable than Immortal Sovereign Bei You.

"In terms of Dao comprehension, you have reached the threshold of the Astral Monarch level. I can't really advise you on specifics; so just follow what your heart tells you," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled.

"But I have three suggestions for you to consider.

First, use the ‘Nine Swords of Spacetime’ you've acquired as your core technique, and contemplate the Dao through the study of combat secret arts. The ‘Nine Swords of Spacetime’ is one of the supreme techniques created by the Dao Master, considered one of the top arts of the Spacetime Essence Dao. Even I study it frequently.

As for the other secret arts you've obtained? You can learn them, but don't spend too much energy on them."

Wu Yuan nodded, inwardly surprised.

It seemed Sovereign Lan Yan knew he had obtained the ‘Spacetime Secret Codex’.

"Second, you still have a good amount of spacetime points. Increase the frequency at which you receive spacetime inheritances," Sovereign Lan Yan said.

"Don't wait hundreds of years between each simulation – that's the approach of ordinary imprint bearers, who mostly cultivate multiple Daos. Their progress is far slower, coupled with the difficulty of acquiring spacetime points.

But you have already crystallized Spacetime True Intent. The benefits you’ll reap from the spacetime inheritance will be far greater. Your comprehension efficiency far surpasses that of ordinary imprint bearers.

It's difficult for you to clearly sense the Spacetime Dao’s essence, so the spacetime inheritance will be your guide," Sovereign Lan Yan looked at Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan understood.

Regardless of which Dao one comprehended, the best method was always to follow the guidance of the Dao’s essence. Comprehending the Great Dao of Spacetime was no exception.

But the Dao’s essence was too hazy; if he contemplated it on his own, progress would be too slow. Thus, the spacetime inheritance, combined with the ‘Nine Swords of Spacetime’, would become his best guides.

“Third is battle. Battle is the best teacher. No one has ever heard of a peerless expert that rose to prominence from seclusion," Sovereign Lan Yan said. "Send your mana body to various parts of the Dao Realm to battle those Archimmortals and Astral Lords. In the crucible of combat, you'll find the correct path, and your progress will speed up even more.

These are my three suggestions for you," Sovereign Lan Yan concluded.

"Thank you, Sovereign," Wu Yuan said sincerely.

Sovereign Lan Yan's guidance seemed unremarkable, but that was from an outsider's perspective. Without her advice, Wu Yuan might have taken many detours.

"Very well, I've said all that’s needed. I hope you can cultivate the Great Dao of Spacetime to the Dao Field stage before the Megaverse Crossroads open. Though we speak of fortune and luck, in the end, the only thing we cultivators can truly control is our own strength," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled.

"Mm." Wu Yuan nodded at first, then shook his head: "Comprehending a Great Dao is an arduous path. Cultivating to the Dao Field stage, rivaling a Sovereign... it's not so easy to achieve."

He had just crystallized the True Intent of a Great Dao, and his strength was extraordinary.

But without the guidance of the Great Dao’s essence, the path of cultivation ahead would be extremely difficult to traverse, and progress might not necessarily be fast.

Dao comprehension rivaling a Sovereign? How many Sovereigns were there in an entire macrocosm?

"For ordinary geniuses, if they choose to comprehend a Great Dao early on, reaching the Dao Field stage is naturally difficult. Even reaching the ninth-level True Intent stage is extremely challenging," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled.

"But you? I think your chances are very high. I have great expectations for you. In the future, you might be able to rival me while at the Astral Monarch stage."

Wu Yuan was speechless.

It seemed Sovereign Lan Yan thought highly of him, but unfortunately, it was incredibly difficult to rival a Sovereign at the Astral Monarch stage.

At least, in the Greenridge Macrocosm, there had never been such a special existence. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

...

Having received Sovereign Lan Yan's guidance, Wu Yuan's qi refiner self returned from the Turbulent Spatial Layer to his private hall.

It will take several more years before my new mana body is created.

Tempering through battle? Mm, when my mana body is ready, it's indeed time for some battle tempering. Wu Yuan's eyes held a hint of anticipation. I was hunted relentlessly after all.

Wu Yuan hadn't forgotten how ruthlessly his mana body was pursued.

Although the losses were minor and the situation wasn't truly dangerous, Wu Yuan had always maintained the habit of settling grudges to clear his mind—a habit he had developed from a young age and never abandoned.