Yuan’s Ascension

Star Moon whispered to herself, perplexed, "Just how powerful has Master become?"

Whoosh~ The rapid flow of time slowed down, returning to its normal pace. Yet, this was not the conclusion—it was just the beginning of deceleration!

The flow of time around Wu Yuan began to slow. However, slowing time seemed to have an even greater impact on space, forcing him to halt his experiment.

The threshold for time acceleration seems to be about a hundredfold. This seems to be a boundary, a limit imposed by heaven and earth's workings.

At this moment, Wu Yuan couldn't exceed that limit.

I might manage to sustain a hundredfold time acceleration for Earth Immortals and Earth Deities briefly, but doing so for Archimmortals and Archdeities would be far more draining. Wu Yuan pondered.

If I wanted to affect an Astral Monarch? I doubt I could maintain it for even a second; my mana isn't sufficient.

Dao comprehension was only one part of the equation. The crux lay within Wu Yuan himself.

My soul isn't strong enough, and my mana capacity is too limited. Wu Yuan reflected, shaking his head. Mana was essentially the matter one could manipulate. Matter was the foundation.

Silently, he vanished, clearly having entered a higher spatial dimension.

Star Moon was left in awe. The spacetime fluctuations in the Spacetime Island are suppressed. Normally, even Astral Lords can only stay in the Material Spatial Layer. How did Master break through to a higher spatial dimension? Star Moon muttered to herself, unable to peer into the spatial dimension Wu Yuan was in.

Upon entering the Fragmentary Spatial Layer, Wu Yuan observed that normally immense and chaotic space fragments were entirely solidified. This expanse of void had been completely congealed.

Suppressing spatial fluctuations? Wu Yuan thought. No wonder even Astral Lords can't access this dimension. It must operate under similar principles to the Snowlight Mist Realm.

As he traveled through this dimension, the massive space fragments and forces of suppression proved ineffectual against him.

This was because his power was even stronger, originating from an even higher dimension. It was like how the sharpest swords on the ground couldn't damage debris in space.

After some time, he returned to his original position.

Whoosh~ With a swift movement, Wu Yuan's form was enveloped in intense spatial fluctuations. The enormous space fragments vanished, replaced by countless, ethereal spatial threads.

This was the Turbulent Spatial Layer, a dimension typically accessible only to Astral Monarchs. Yet, Wu Yuan entered it with ease.

These seemingly benign threads were, in reality, the source of spatial fluctuations affecting all matter in the Material Spatial Layer, harboring formidable power.

But Wu Yuan, having mastered Spacetime True Intent, stood unharmed in this realm.

This dimension. Wu Yuan sensed the countless spatial threads around him.

It was an ocean of spatial fluctuations, with layers upon layers of dimensions constructing the vast foundation of the Material Spatial Layer.

And at an even higher level beyond the countless spatial threads, Wu Yuan sensed a realm of nothingness—the Vacuum Spatial Layer.

My Dao comprehension is deep enough for me to sense the Vacuum Spatial Layer. Wu Yuan realized. But my mana capacity is too small.

The higher the spatial dimension, the greater the pressure. Only immense power could withstand such crushing force.

Dao comprehension was power, as was mana.

Consider Sovereigns—even if they didn't understand a thing about the Law of Space, they could still enter the Vacuum Spatial Layer with their powerful mana.

Meanwhile, Astral Monarchs who mastered the Qiankun Dao, also had substantial mana. The combination of both allowed them to step into the Vacuum Spatial Layer.

In terms of mastery over Space, Wu Yuan was hardly inferior to many Astral Monarchs of Space. However, his mana was insufficient. Entering the Turbulent Spatial Layer was already his current limit.

If I were to venture into the Black Devil Blood Hollow now, ordinary Astral Lords couldn't stop me. They wouldn't even detect my presence. Wu Yuan thought with a slight smile. Of course, there's always the risk of encountering the rare Astral Lord of Space.

Even with comprehension of Spacetime True Intent, he was still an Earth Immortal, and couldn't match an Astral Lord in direct combat.

But the special nature of the Spacetime True Intent lay in that no matter how strong an enemy was, they'd have to find him first.

Hmm? Wu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of surprise.

Among the countless spatial turbulence threads, a stunningly beautiful figure in purple robes had materialized. Her smile was so captivating that one couldn't help but be drawn in.

Yet, with his soul and consciousness merged with the Great Dao’s essence, a trace of clarity remained in the depths of Wu Yuan's spirit, allowing him to recover instantly.

"Ming Jian pays respects to Sovereign Lan Yan," Wu Yuan bowed respectfully.

At this moment, in Wu Yuan's eyes, Sovereign Lan Yan was just a Sovereign with a powerful vital aura, nothing else.

"As expected of a peerless genius who has crystallized a Great Dao’s True Intent. Even Astral Monarchs probably wouldn't regain clarity as quickly as you," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled.

"This junior dares not make such claims," Wu Yuan said.

"You are worthy of it," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled, taking a step forward. Without affecting the spatial fluctuations around them, she appeared before Wu Yuan.

This surprised Wu Yuan at first, but he soon understood. His Dao comprehension might be comparable to a newly advanced Astral Monarch. But compared to Sovereign Lan Yan, who had fully comprehended Law of Space? It was laughable!

Moreover, Wu Yuan also sensed a faint, familiar aura radiating from Sovereign Lan Yan. This startled him, prompting him to ask, "Spacetime Essence?"

Judging from the fluctuations alone, Sovereign Lan Yan's perception seemed far clearer than his own. In the end, Wu Yuan had only just crystallized the True Intent of Spacetime.

"Mm. We Sovereigns have all comprehended at least one Greater Law, and naturally all yearn for greater strength," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled. "Having cultivated to our level, none of us wish to vanish in the cycle of samsara.

However, those who succeed are few and far between," Sovereign Lan Yan shook her head slightly.

"Vanish in the cycle of samsara?" Wu Yuan was startled: "What is samsara? Can Sovereigns perish too? After completing the Ninth Immortal Tribulations, isn’t one's lifespan equal to that of heaven?"

"Equal to heaven's lifespan?" Sovereign Lan Yan revealed a mysterious smile. "What if heaven itself reaches the end of its life?"

Wu Yuan was shaken to his core, yet he vaguely recalled some things Master Kua Chi had once told him.

“Whether it's the essence of Lesser Laws or Greater Laws, Time, Space, Wind, Fire... they all came into being after heaven and earth was formed, everything originates from heaven and earth's essence.” Sovereign Lan Yan said softly.

“The Nine Immortal Tribulations are a test from heaven and earth. Only by passing it does one qualify to integrate with the Dao essence of heaven and earth, attaining longevity.

But vegetation withers and flourishes. Spring passes, and autumn arrives.

This vast heaven and earth had a beginning, so naturally it will have an end," Sovereign Lan Yan said calmly. "When heaven and earth's lifespan ends, all will perish.

All Dao essences will dissolve and return to one, and naturally, all living beings must perish, Sovereigns included.

Hence it's called samsara. This heaven and earth has gone through countless cycles of samsara," Sovereign Lan Yan shook her head slightly.

Wu Yuan listened in shock.

Though he had heard Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi describe bits and pieces of this concept before, it was never explained so thoroughly. Back then, he was too weak, so even if Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi had explained it to him, it wouldn’t have mattered.

"To transcend, to attain eternity, one must comprehend an Essence Great Dao. The Great Dao is eternal. Us Sovereigns are mostly on the path of comprehension, but this path is incredibly difficult." Sovereign Lan Yan looked at Wu Yuan and smiled, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Ming Jian, you have now stepped onto this path as well."

Wu Yuan felt dazed.

Fellow Daoist? A Sovereign addressing him as Fellow Daoist? This was usually a term used to address peers of equal strength. Of course, Wu Yuan understood that Sovereign Lan Yan was likely just expressing her wistfulness.

"You flatter me, Sovereign," Wu Yuan said.

Sovereign Lan Yan smiled and spoke no more on the matter: "You're probably still wondering why you crystallized Spacetime True Intent right after crystallizing Time True Intent, aren't you?"

Wu Yuan couldn't help but nod. This was indeed puzzling.

"There are many Essence Great Daos, such as Spacetime, Creation, Destiny, Five Elements, and so on. They are all formed by the fusion of different Greater Laws," Sovereign Lan Yan smiled. "Spacetime is said to be the easiest to grasp, yet the hardest to master."

Easiest? Hardest? Wu Yuan was baffled.

"Spacetime is the foundation of all things, inherently perfect and flawless. So once the True Intent of these two Greater Laws are comprehended, they naturally merge into one, becoming the cornerstone of many other Great Daos," Sovereign Lan Yan explained.

"Take Creation Essence for example. To crystallize its True Intent, one must have extraordinary understanding and insight into both Life and Death.

Many cultivators find it difficult to fuse them even if they comprehend the True Intents of multiple Greater Laws.

Only Spacetime is special in this regard," Sovereign Lan Yan said.

Wu Yuan sighed inwardly.

So that was how it was. His body refiner self in the Immutable Land clearly had a great aptitude for Creation. For a long time, he had been on the verge of comprehending Creation Essence, yet never truly succeeded. [1]

Meanwhile his qi refiner self had succeeded without even intentionally cultivating the Essence Great Dao of Spacetime.

"I came to see you just to give you some guidance," Sovereign Lan Yan said.

Wu Yuan listened respectfully.

"Those who can become Sovereigns are all peerless geniuses, some with talent no worse than yours in their youth," Sovereign Lan Yan said. "But those who can transcend heaven and earth are extremely rare."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly, well aware of the difficulty of transcendence.

"It's not that they don't know the power of the Essence Great Daos, but the vast majority choose to specialize in one Greater Law at first.

Why? The Great Daos are hard to express, our perceptions of them too vague. You've crystallized True Intent in one go, but further progress in cultivation will be extremely difficult," Sovereign Lan Yan said gravely. "However, you no longer have a choice.

The Essence is singular. It will be extremely difficult for you to pursue other paths. Even if you want to comprehend the Law of Space or Law of Time separately, once you reach the final step, you'll be influenced by the Essence Great Dao.

In fact, one could say that this is the only path available to you," Sovereign Lan Yan said.

"Please guide me, Sovereign," Wu Yuan's heart tightened. He hadn't expected it to be so serious, that even his individual progress in Time and Space would be compromised.

"The Dao Master is not the only supreme being in heaven and earth to have comprehended Spacetime.

But he is the first to comprehend the Great Dao of Spacetime throughout the endless river of space and time, across many heaven and earth's samsara cycles. He wields the authority of a Great Dao, hence he is called a Dao Master," Sovereign Lan Yan said solemnly.

"You must become a Legacy Imprint bearer. Only then will you have hope of catching the Dao Master's eye. He is the one most capable of guiding you.

Without the Dao Master's guidance, I fear you may even struggle to become a Sovereign in the future."

1. perhaps this is from the view of his qi refiner self ☜