Yuan's Ascension

What exactly is this sword? And how did it end up in my upper dantian lobe? Wu Yuan's mind was filled with questions. Moreover, only my qi refiner self attempted to decipher it; why has it appeared in the upper dantian lobe of my body refiner self as well?

Both of his true selves attempted to exert control over it simultaneously.

Instantly, Wu Yuan discovered that this black sword suspended in the upper dantian lobe was as immovable as the black pagoda. Its aura was equally vast and boundless, majestic and profound.

What exactly happened? Did I forget something? Wu Yuan couldn't make sense of it at all.

But there was no doubt that this sword was incredibly formidable. Even if it wasn't quite on par with the Ancestral Pagoda, it surely held great secrets.

In a flash, Wu Yuan understood his current situation.

“Wu Yuan.” Zi Kong’s voice rang out, having sensed that Wu Yuan had regained consciousness.

"Senior Zi Kong." Wu Yuan bowed slightly.

"Congratulations on successfully obtaining the Samsara Sword. I assume you've already sensed its presence," said Zi Kong with a slight smile, the three-tiered tower still atop his head.

"Senior, how do I use this Samsara Sword?" Wu Yuan asked.

"The Dao Master once said that ultimate treasures possess their own spirit. When you obtain one, you'll naturally know how to use it when the time comes, and it will naturally exert its power when it's meant to," Zi Kong said nonchalantly.

In truth, Zi Kong had no idea how to use it. After all, before Wu Yuan, no successor had ever gained the Samsara Sword's acknowledgment, and the Dao Master had never shared details about these ultimate treasures with it. How could it possibly know?

Ultimate treasures possess their own spirit? Wu Yuan hesitated.

From what he could sense, this Samsara Sword seemed very similar to the black pagoda.

It appeared to be the projection of some supreme and mighty artifact. After all, the projection of the Samsara Sword had appeared in the upper dantian lobes of both his true selves.

Logically, if it were a normal treasure, it should only have appeared within his qi refiner self, right?

Unfortunately, with so little information, Wu Yuan couldn't figure it out. He could only set the matter aside for now.

"Gaining the acknowledgment of the Samsara Sword also means you've truly become a successor of the Dao Master," Zi Kong said. "Come, leave a mental imprint here."

Whoosh~ Countless motes of light coalesced, forming five floating temples. Each temple was shrouded in clouds, exuding a holy aura.

Though obscured by clouds and mist, shadowy figures could be seen sitting in lotus position within the first four temples. Their features were indistinct.

"This is?" Wu Yuan asked, puzzled.

"This is the Sempiternal Temple," Zi Kong explained solemnly. "The other four temples hold the mental imprints left by the four successors the Dao Master has chosen in this samsara cycle of heaven and earth. This way, should these successors perish in the world outside, they can be revived from the Sempiternal Temple.

This is a chance at resurrection!" Zi Kong continued. "Of these four successors, one is still a Sovereign, while the other three have already become Overlords.

An Overlord is essentially a very special and powerful Sovereign, so even if an Overlord falls, the Dao Master can still resurrect them."

Wu Yuan listened in awe.

So it turned out that of the four successors chosen by the Dao Master, three were already Overlords. This was new information.

"Focus your mind and Visualize that temple. That's all you need to do," Zi Kong instructed.

Wu Yuan nodded.

His gaze fell upon the temple, and his spirit quickly grew tranquil.

Whoosh~ After just a few breaths, a figure appeared faintly within the fifth temple in the distant void, its features blurred.

I’ve already succeeded? Wu Yuan asked, somewhat uncertain. He didn’t feel any connection to the temple.

“Yes. It was successful,” Zi Kong seemed to understand Wu Yuan's doubt and smiled. "It's correct that you didn't feel anything.

In this world, there are countless methods of preserving one's life. For instance, among those who have comprehended the Great Dao of Creation, or Sovereigns of Life, many cultivate divine blood secret arts. With just a single drop of blood, they can be resurrected after death. ℟𝘢ꞐổᛒÈȿ

It may seem like resurrection. But in reality, that single drop of blood contains a complete vital aura imprint. In essence, it's another true self, just limited by the rules of heaven and earth from being fully nurtured. So, in such cases, it doesn't truly count as perishing," Zi Kong explained.

Moreover, if a supreme existence were to act personally, even a Sovereign would have all their Bloodsouls, divine blood, and so on directly annihilated through karma."

Wu Yuan held his breath.

Wasn't the secret art Zi Kong described exactly the ‘Immutable Soul’ technique that he himself cultivated?

Back then, he had thought it was incredibly mystical, but now, thinking carefully, he realized Zi Kong's words made sense.

"The Dao Master's Sempiternal Temple doesn't require you to leave behind an aura imprint, so it's appropriate that you feel nothing," Zi Kong continued.

"If you did feel something, how would it be any different from those ordinary life-preserving techniques?" Zi Kong shook his head. "In fact, what we call a mental imprint is, in essence, merely a temporal coordinate.

Even if everything about you is scattered, and you have perished in all aspects... even if a supreme existence erases all traces of you from time, the Dao Master can still resurrect you through the temporal coordinate in the Sempiternal Temple.

This is the grace of the Dao Master." Zi Kong looked at Wu Yuan.

"The Dao Master's abilities are truly unfathomable," Wu Yuan sighed sincerely.

Through Zi Kong's words, Wu Yuan felt his horizons expanding once again. The Sovereigns and Overlords he once viewed as lofty and unreachable, were nothing at all in the eyes of the Spacetime Dao Master.

"Those who bear the Legacy Imprint all receive a gift when they leave. They can all be considered part of the Spacetime Dao Master's lineage," Zi Kong said. "Your grandmaster, Sovereign Bei You, is one such example.

However, they can only be considered members of the outer circle. Only you and the other four successors are the core of the Spacetime Dao Master's lineage," Zi Kong continued. "You're still too weak now, but once you become a Sovereign, you'll naturally learn about the other four successors.

The Dao Master has no demands of his successors. Whether you fight amongst yourselves or join forces to explore the vast river of space and time, it's all up to you.

There are only two points you must remember," Zi Kong said gravely.

Wu Yuan listened silently.

"First, once you leave the Spacetime Dao Realm, you can never return in any way, shape or form, be it your mana body, ether body, or any other true self.

Second, successors may kill each other, but you must never reveal your identity as a successor of the Dao Master, nor can you disclose the identities of other successors.

Those who violate these rules, no matter how talented, will be personally struck down by the Dao Master," Zi Kong's voice carried a chilling edge.

"This disciple will not forget," Wu Yuan said solemnly.

"There's no need to call yourself a disciple," Zi Kong said. "You are the Dao Master's successor, but not the Dao Master's disciple. A successor inherits the Dao Master's path.

The Dao Master has never taken disciples."

Wu Yuan was struck speechless. What difference was there between a successor and a disciple?

In truth, Wu Yuan understood the distinction between master-disciple relationships on the immortal path versus those of martial artists in the mortal realm.

In the mortal world, the purpose of a martial artist's direct disciple was often to fight on the master's behalf in old age, fending off enemies from grudges formed in youth. But on the immortal path, the purpose of taking on disciples was primarily to pass on one's teachings.

It's the same with bearing children. Wu Yuan mused inwardly. The way that immortals and mortals think is as different as heaven and earth.

Wu Yuan never cared about having offspring, for he sought eternal existence rather than an unbroken bloodline. With eternal existence, what need was there for bloodlines?@@novelbin@@

"Come, follow me to meet the Dao Master," said Zi Kong. "If you don't reach the supreme level in the future, this may be your only chance to see the Dao Master in your lifetime."

Hum~ Zi Kong's body shimmered, and the tower on its head trembled slightly as an invisible force instantly descended.

Wu Yuan and Zi Kong vanished simultaneously.

…

On the Spacetime Island, high up in the clouds, the three Sovereign Custodians waited patiently in that majestic temple.

"It's been nearly a day."

"How's the situation?" The red-robed demonic Sovereign and the black-armored Sovereign conversed.

"Previously, regardless of success or failure, the results were always out quickly," the red-robed demonic Sovereign said puzzledly. "Yet it’s taking so long this time?"

"It has been quite a while, rather odd," the black-armored Sovereign shook his head.

Only Sovereign Lan Yan remained silent throughout.

Suddenly, a glimmer of surprise flashed through the eyes of Sovereign Lan Yan, the black-armored Sovereign, and the red-robed demonic Sovereign. “Hmm?”

"Success?"

"He actually succeeded?"

"Compared to previous successors, Ming Jian took the longest time by far. He must have reached a very special stage," the red-robed demonic Sovereign said.

"He cleared the four basic trials the fastest, yet took the longest to complete the final trial," the black-armored Sovereign shook his head.

"Let's wait patiently," Sovereign Lan Yan said in a low voice. "Ming Jian should be emerging soon."

The three Sovereign Custodians waited patiently, filled with anticipation.