Yuan’s Ascension

In a matter of hours, one large group after another materialized in outer space.

The six major sects of the White Sea Immortal Continent seemed to have sent roughly equal numbers of cultivators.

Each large group led by an Earth Immortal, accompanied by dozens of Void Refiner Eminences, and thousands of Amethyst Cradle cultivators? Wu Yuan mused silently.

He observed them closely, aware that any of these individuals could potentially become obstacles. However, the presence of Earth Immortals made Wu Yuan hesitant to extend his Soul Will too brazenly, lest he draw unwanted attention.

At last, with a final burst of light from the temple's teleportation array, thousands more figures emerged.

With this, all six groups, one from each major sect and each led by an Earth Immortal, had assembled.

The wait was mercifully brief.

The six Earth Immortals simultaneously took flight, swiftly approaching the Thunder Marsh World. Six brilliant beams of light shot skyward, piercing the vast thunderclouds.

A deafening rumble shook heaven and earth as the Thunder Marsh World itself seemed to tremble, clearly a result of the six Earth Immortals activating the outer barrier.

"Move out!"

"The trial begins now." The Void Refiner/Elysian Field cultivators from each major sect issued their final reminders before transforming into streaks of light, hurtling towards the Thunder Marsh World.

Wu Yuan, Yun Ya, and the others followed closely behind. The multitude of Amethyst Cradle/Shambhala cultivators brought up the rear.

"Daoist Shadow Blade, I'll see you in the Thunder Marsh World," Yun Ya called out to Wu Yuan with a smile as they flew.

"Indeed," Wu Yuan nodded, returning the smile.

Over the past few days, his interactions with Yun Ya and Yun Ling had been the most agreeable. Their relationship could be considered the closest.

"Don't forget about me, Childe Shadow Blade," Mu Xin, flying not far ahead, suddenly turned back, winking at him.

Wu Yuan nodded, responding perfunctorily.

"We're about to enter.”

“Let's hope we don't encounter any thunder beast elites. That would be troublesome."

"We should gather up and join forces as soon as possible."

"Everyone, let’s make it out alive." The six large groups, including dozens of trial participants from other immortal continents, gave words of encouragement to each other as if they were good old friends.

Yet, how much was genuine, and how much was mere pretense?

The numerous disciples from each major sect likewise exchanged words before entering.

Swiftly, as Wu Yuan and the others drew ever closer to the Thunder Marsh World, an invisible force suddenly enveloped the surrounding space.

In an instant, this overwhelming energy caused the tens of thousands of immortal cultivators in the area to vanish without a trace.

Even the six Earth Immortals disappeared.

This expanse of outer space fell silent once more.

…

A spatial ripple engulfed Wu Yuan, blurring his surroundings. When reality solidified once more, he found himself amidst a rugged mountain range stretching as far as the eye could see.

Vegetation was sparse, and the mountains towered impossibly high, many reaching thousands of li into the sky.

Beneath his feet lay muddy earth. Overhead, ominous storm clouds blanketed everything, occasional flashes of lightning illuminating their depths.

All around him, not another soul could be seen.

The talisman must have triggered the array, transporting us inside randomly. Where is everyone else? Wu Yuan pondered, his gaze sweeping across the landscape.

He extended his Soul Will, probing outward.

Wu Yuan's eyes narrowed as he sensed an invisible force suppressing his abilities, drastically reducing the range of his Soul Will. He could now only perceive an area of about thirty thousand li - pitifully small compared to his usual reach.

Simultaneously, the oppressive energy permeating the world intensified, making even flying far more difficult.

As expected of a world extensively modified by an Astral Monarch at great cost. Wu Yuan mused as he sprang into motion.

In a flash, he soared upward, but barely ascended a thousand li before his view was still obstructed by the distant peaks.

Suddenly, a thunderous boom erupted from the storm clouds above.

It seemed as if countless bolts of lightning had coalesced within the roiling mass, and a terrifying bolt of energy lanced downward. The devastating attack hurtled straight for Wu Yuan!

With a calm expression, Wu Yuan summoned a saber to his hand. A blade ray sliced through the air, colliding violently with the descending lightning.

Boom! The clash of energies produced a deafening explosion. Countless arcs of electricity flowed through Wu Yuan's weapon and engulfed his entire body.

Yet when the dazzling display subsided, Wu Yuan stood unscathed, as if nothing had transpired. The thunderbolt's aftermath clearly posed no threat to Wu Yuan.

Just as the reports stated. Ascending a thousand li above the ground level triggers lightning capable of threatening sixth-stage Amethyst Cradle/Shambhala cultivators. Ascending three thousand li summons bolts that could fell even those at the ninth-stage Amethyst Cradle phase.

Ascending ten thousand li would trigger lightning potent enough to annihilate even a ninth-stage Void Refiner cultivator.

These endless mountain ranges effectively partition the vast earth. Wu Yuan observed with a slight shake of his head.

Few dared to scale the towering peaks to their summits. The first danger of the Thunder Marsh World was the thunder array enshrouding the colossal realm, spanning a maximum diameter of six hundred million li.

Let's scout the area first to pinpoint my location. Wu Yuan decided, transforming into a streak of light as he ran across the ground, racing towards the horizon. Then I'll navigate to the location of the spacetime coordinates.

In outer space, Wu Yuan could easily accelerate to a thousand li per second. But under the Thunder Marsh World's invisible suppression, his speed topped out at roughly five hundred li per second. Moreover, he dared not accelerate recklessly, maintaining a cautious pace of two to three hundred li per second.

As he journeyed onward, majestic mountain ranges twisted and intersected, constantly diverting Wu Yuan from his original direction. His gaze could only penetrate around several hundred thousand li, perhaps a million at most. This left Wu Yuan momentarily disoriented.

However, with his incredible memory, he could effortlessly recall every path traversed. Given enough time, he would naturally be able to triangulate his precise location by cross-referencing the intelligence reports.

Hmm? Wu Yuan halted abruptly, his Soul Force fanning out to detect three immortal cultivators rapidly approaching his position.

Sixth-stage Amethyst Cradle cultivators? Wu Yuan's eyes flashed with confusion. What could drive them to such haste?

Logically, having just arrived in the Thunder Marsh World, there was no need for such urgency even if one was treasure hunting.

The endless mountains and undulating terrain obstructed Wu Yuan's line of sight, but when the three purple-robed figures frantically appeared in his vision, he finally understood the reason for their frenzied flight.

Dozens of four-legged beasts pursued the purple-robed figures, howling and roaring as they gave chase at extreme speeds. Each of the beasts' bodies crackled faintly with lightning.

Now merely thousands of li apart, Wu Yuan's keen vision could clearly discern even the fur on the creatures' hides.

Thunder beasts? Able to evade Soul Force detection? Wu Yuan's pupils constricted.

The Thunder Marsh World's second danger—thunder beasts!

Even an ordinary thunder beast possessed Shambhala-level strength, while some elites that had undergone evolution could unleash power rivaling the Elysian Field phase.

Crucially, neither Soul Force nor Soul Will could detect these thunder beasts' presence. Only by drawing near could one sense the fluctuations in spiritual qi or spot them with the naked eye.

However, Wu Yuan swiftly assessed the dozens of thunder beasts before him. Judging from their build and speed, they were all ordinary type beasts.

"Hm? It's Childe Shadow Blade! Childe Shadow Blade, save us! Save us!" The lead purple-robed man's eyes lit up upon spotting Wu Yuan.

The other two were equally elated.

Whoosh! Whoosh! The three men shot toward Wu Yuan as if they'd found their savior.

Disciples of the Longstar Immortal Sect? All from Team 3? Wu Yuan had already recognized them.

With his phenomenal memory, effortlessly recalling the soul auras of over ten thousand members from the six major sects was child's play. Not to mention, they had dined together at the same banquet.

Though Wu Yuan had never conversed with them directly, these Longstar Immortal Sect disciples remembered him vividly.

Three sixth-stage Amethyst Cradle phase cultivators facing dozens of thunder beasts—no wonder they're running. Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

The gap of thousands of li was closed in an instant.

The three Longstar Immortal Sect disciples rushed behind Wu Yuan for protection, while the dozens of formidable thunder beasts, each over thirty meters long, chased them.

"Roar~” The thunder beasts' eyes glowed a faint red as they fixed their gazes on Wu Yuan at the forefront, charging straight for him. Their legs pounded the earth, causing the vast terrain to tremble subtly.

They were beasts of combat born of the Thunder Marsh World, possessing little intelligence beyond their instinct to kill.

Wu Yuan stood his ground, shaking his head slightly.

Shing! He suddenly drew his saber, his legs coiling with power before he exploded forward, unleashing only the strength of an ordinary ninth-stage Shambhala cultivator.

Boom! He instantly transformed into a thousand-zhang giant. Eight arms materialized, each grasping a saber, his aura overwhelming.

"Roar!"

"Roar!" The dozens of thunder beasts bellowed as they charged to meet him.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! A tempest of blade rays ignited, channeling the profundities of the Celestial Body Dao.

The blade rays struck with blinding speed, unerring accuracy, and crushing force! There was no need to even invoke his domain.

Squelch~ Wu Yuan's footwork flowed gracefully, evading the thunder beasts as his blade rays flashed.

In a single exchange, he decapitated or or cleaved the bodies of dozens of thunder beasts. Blood sprayed through the air.

Thud! Thud! Thud! The thunder beasts' massive forms continued their momentum, tumbling for hundreds of li before finally lying still.

At last, silence fell.

Though these thunder beasts are truly extraordinary, compared to true Shambhala cultivators, their heads remain a fatal weakness. Wu Yuan observed, shaking his head.

While these thunder beasts boasted impressive speed and strength, their combat prowess fell far short of body refiners of the same level. Their ability to conceal their presence, however, was truly terrifying.

"This—!"

"So powerful."

"Childe Shadow Blade? Foreign trial participants are truly in a different league." The three Longstar Immortal Sect disciples who had narrowly escaped with their lives stood slack-jawed in awe.