Chapter 604: Onto The Archeldritch Hall (2)
Eldritch General Hou Kong? Fifth-stage Elysian Field phase? Wu Yuan sensed the opponent's vital aura, which was stronger than those from all previous levels.
What Wu Yuan didn't know was that his opponent was a renowned genius from the Hou Cheng Tribe, having cultivated for only a few hundred years.
"Hou Feng. Your talent surpasses mine, and your Dao comprehension is far superior to my own." Eldritch General Hou Kong smiled, a massive sword strapped to his back. "However, I will give my all in this battle. You'd best be careful.
If you find yourself outmatched, surrender."
Boom! Eldritch General Hou Kong's form flickered and expanded to a thousand zhangs tall, while four arms sprouted from his body, each grasping a massive sword.
Multiple ether arts erupted simultaneously, and scales even began to shimmer across his skin, suggesting he had also employed Beast Fusion.
Wu Yuan gazed at him calmly.
At that moment, the spectators fell silent. Everyone watched quietly, waiting to see who would emerge victorious.
Whoosh! Eldritch General Hou Kong suddenly lunged forward, crossing over a thousand li in the blink of an eye, closing in on Wu Yuan.
Swish! Sword light tore through the sky like a dragon as it slashed towards him.Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Wu Yuan, who had barely moved during the first five levels, finally erupted into action. In an instant, he too grew to a thousand zhangs tall, while four dazzling blade rays sliced through the air toward his opponent!
The blade rays were heavy and dense, yet explosive.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Like the collision of two celestial bodies, these two god-like figures instantly engaged in a fierce battle.
The sword techniques unleashed by each strike were incredibly violent and ferocious. Meanwhile, each streak of blade ray was mysterious, unpredictable, and erratically elusive. They were so perfect it seemed unreal, easily deflecting the onslaught of sword lights.
"What terrifying sword lights."
"Such a violent assault, truly befitting Eldritch General Hou Kong."
"To think Hou Feng could withstand it." The spectators trembled in awe.
The hundreds of thousands of eldritch onlookers struggled to follow the fight, as it far surpassed their perception abilities. However, the Eldritch Generals observing the battle could see it clearly—and they were all stunned.
Logically, swords should be swift and nimble, while sabers excelled at chopping and hacking. But at this moment, it was as if the two had switched weapons.
Eldritch General Hou Kong attacked with unparalleled ferocity. Like waves in a vast sea, each one higher than the last, relentless and unceasing!
As for Wu Yuan? He was like a reef in the sea, enduring wave after wave of violent impacts. It was said that a prolonged defense was bound to fail, yet Wu Yuan remained as solid as a rock from start to finish. He gave off an impression of being utterly unshakable.
Body Of A Star. The self is the foundation, and that which rests upon it. Wu Yuan's heart remained exceptionally calm.
As the Starsunder saber techniques unfolded one by one, Eldritch General Hou Kong grew increasingly anxious.
A prolonged defense is bound to fail. This proverb corresponded to another saying—a prolonged assault that fails to break through is destined for defeat!
It's time. Wu Yuan gradually familiarized himself with his opponent's methods.
If he wanted to win, he could easily unleash multiple ether arts. For example—the advanced ether art Three-Headed Eight-Armed Form! His strength would then increase dramatically.
However, Wu Yuan felt it was unnecessary. He'd take it slow; even if he wanted to reveal his monstrous talent, there was no need to be too outrageous. His current performance was already astonishing enough.
Whoosh~ Wu Yuan's saber technique abruptly changed. From its original heavy and flowing style, it turned wild and unpredictable in an instant, catching Eldritch General Hou Kong off guard.
He was forced to take one step back, then another.
This is bad. Hou Feng's saber technique? Eldritch General Hou Kong sensed that the situation was turning unfavorable. He felt that each wave of saber techniques seemed to perfectly counter his sword techniques.
"Admit defeat!" Wu Yuan's saber technique suddenly changed again, growing increasingly bizarre, vastly different from what he had initially displayed.
In this short span of time, Wu Yuan had made some adjustments to his saber technique, specifically targeting the vulnerabilities of Eldritch General Hou Kong's sword techniques.
With his superior perspective and Dao comprehension that had reached that of an average High Immortal, Wu Yuan could easily accomplish this.
But in Eldritch General Hou Kong's eyes, this feat was inconceivable.
In this brief period, they had already exchanged over a thousand moves.
"It seems Eldritch General Hou Kong is no match for him."
"In terms of base power, Eldritch General Hou Feng is a whole phase lower, but his saber technique is too exquisite. Time and again, he redirects the power of Hou Kong's sword techniques into the air, leaving Hou Kong full of strength but unable to exert it."
"If their strengths were equal, Eldritch General Hou Kong would have lost this battle long ago." Even the Eldritch Soldiers noticed something was amiss.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Wu Yuan's saber technique changed once more. Wings suddenly appeared on his back, and his speed and agility soared. In an instant, he knocked the sword from Eldritch General Hou Kong's hand.
Then, several blade rays tore through the sky.
Slash~ A massive head flew off, and the towering body was torn into several pieces, blood splattering everywhere.
Whoosh! Wu Yuan pulled back.
Rumble~ Eldritch General Hou Kong's dissected body quickly fused and recovered, though his face was slightly pale. He put away his sword and looked at Wu Yuan with resignation. "Eldritch General Hou Feng, your saber technique is truly terrifying! You win."
"You're too kind." Wu Yuan smiled faintly.
If he hadn't been unwilling to appear too monstrous, Wu Yuan was confident he could have slain Eldritch General Hou Kong in just three strikes.
Many monstrous prodigies from the Origin Eldritch Field have astonishingly high Dao comprehension levels despite their short cultivation periods. Wu Yuan thought to himself. But in Huanggu, once Dao comprehension reaches a certain level, one typically makes a breakthrough in mana.
When Dao comprehension reached the Dao Field stage of a Lesser Law, one would generally become an Earth Eldritch or Earth Immortal, not lingering long at the Eldritch General level.
So-called geniuses usually referred to those who cultivated faster, rather than those who dominated their peers at a particular mana cultivation level.
As for Wu Yuan? He had never deliberately suppressed his mana level; it was just that his Dao comprehension improved too rapidly.
Reaching the third-level True Intent stage of the Celestial Body Dao after over a hundred years of cultivation. Even in the Greenridge Macrocosm, someone who could accomplish this would be considered a top-tier genius. In Huanggu, such a genius probably hasn't appeared in millions of years. It's enough. Wu Yuan muttered to himself.
If he displayed even greater talent? Once the news spread, it might even provoke the entire Immortal Court to come and eliminate him, deeming him too great a threat.
I need to stay at the peak-stage of the Shambhala phase for at least eighty years. As for the peak-stage Elysian Field phase, at least three hundred years.
In at most three to four hundred years, I should be able to become an Earth Eldritch. By then, I should fear no one in this world, except for the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race. Wu Yuan had a clear plan in mind.
"Congratulations to Eldritch General Hou Feng for passing the sixth level of the Archeldritch Trial!" A cold voice resonated throughout the entire Eldritch Battle Platform.
"Hou Feng!"
"Hou Feng!"
"A new historical record!" Instantly, the entire Eldritch Battle Platform erupted with earth-shaking roars from hundreds of thousands of spectators, all incredibly ecstatic.
In the tens of thousands of years of the Hou Cheng Tribe's history, no one had ever passed the sixth level of the Archeldritch Trial. This was an unprecedented first.
…
Inside the Earth Eldritch Hall.
"It's Celestial Body True Intent!" Earth Eldritch Hou Fu was absolutely certain, speaking in a low voice. “There’s no mistake. Moreover, compared to High Eldritch Hou Zhi, I feel it's not much weaker. His comprehension of the Celestial Body Dao has likely reached the third-level True Intent stage." Earth Eldritch Hou Fu said.
"Is it really Celestial Body True Intent?"
"Truly... a genius."
"How does this Hou Feng cultivate?" These Earth Eldritches were all shocked.
In their understanding, being able to reach the initiate threshold of an Intermediate Law was already impressive. Comprehending it to such a profound level? That was usually something only High Eldritches could achieve.
"Chieftain, we should report this," Earth Eldritch Hou Fu looked towards Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng.
"Mm. The birth of such a genius is fortunate for our eldritch race, but unfortunate for our Hou Cheng Tribe." Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng sighed.
The other Earth Eldritches fell silent, somewhat bewildered. Unfortunate?
"Think about it. Can our Hou Cheng Tribe keep such a genius?" Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng shook his head. "His Dao comprehension level might even rival mine. Is there anyone in the tribe who can still guide him? We can't keep him here."
The group of Earth Eldritches fell silent.
Indeed, he was too talented, too monstrous. So monstrous that even a high-tier eldritch tribe like the Hou Cheng Tribe couldn't retain him.
"However, it's a fortunate event for our entire eldritch race. We needn't escort him to the Archeldritch tribe now. If word leaks out and the immortal race exploits the opportunity, leading to a High Immortal launching an attack, it would be counterproductive," Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng said.
"Let's keep Hou Feng in the tribe for now, and wait for a High Eldritch to come fetch him.
For the next few days, none of us should venture out. Focus on guarding the tribe, and ensure Hou Feng doesn't leave the Earth Eldritch Hall." Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng made his decision.
"Understood."
"Guard the tribe." The Earth Eldritches nodded in agreement.
Though they all understood that a monstrous prodigy like Wu Yuan might not bring much benefit to the Hou Cheng Tribe, he would eventually make an immense impact on the entire eldritch race.