Yuan’s Ascension

The conflict between the eldritch race and immortal race was not limited to direct confrontations and battles. Both sides gradually infiltrated each other's ranks, gathered intelligence, and even attempted to induce enemy members to switch allegiances, all in an effort to utterly defeat their nemesis.

The eldritch race, for instance, had long since extended their reach into the Immortal Realm within Heavenly Pillar Mountain, providing them with a wealth of information.

As for Long Chang Immortal City, being the high-tier immortal city closest to the Hou Cheng Tribe, both sides had naturally infiltrated each other over the course of thousands of years.

The news of Hou Feng passing the sixth level of the Archeldritch Trial spread rapidly throughout the Hou Cheng Tribe. It was impossible to keep such information secret.

Within just one day, it had reached Long Chang Immortal City.

In an enormous floating hall at the center of Long Chang Immortal City.

Hou Feng? He passed the sixth level of the Archeldritch Trial and, as an Eldritch Warrior, defeated an Eldritch General? Earth Immortal Long Chang muttered to himself as he perused the intelligence report in his hand. He must be the Eldritch Warrior who slew Immortal General Yu Yue.

How rare was it for an Eldritch Warrior to slay an Immortal General? Earth Immortal Long Chang didn’t believe that a high-tier eldritch tribe would produce two such peerless geniuses in succession. The probability was far too low.

It's a pity we couldn't witness the actual battle to gauge his true strength. Earth Immortal Long Chang shook his head slightly.

Their means of communication were too primitive. Moreover, the few spies he controlled with his soul were initially only peak-stage Eldritch Soldiers, and even now were merely ordinary Eldritch Warriors, incapable of providing highly classified intelligence.

In the entire history of the eldritch race, such a genius would surely rank in the top hundred, perhaps even the top ten. Earth Immortal Long Chang mused.

The entire Huanggu World had only existed for just over ten million years.

The first six levels of the Archeldritch Trial were determined by each high-tier eldritch tribe, so the difficulty wasn't entirely fixed. Only the final three levels, overseen by the four great Archeldritch tribes, had stringent criteria.

Thus, many eldritch geniuses who passed the first six levels of the Archeldritch Trial typically had some padding in their achievements. Some defeated extremely weak Eldritch Generals, while others fought Eldritch Generals who deliberately held back.

Wu Yuan's feat of defeating an ordinary Eldritch General as an Eldritch Warrior was already quite impressive. There was also his previous achievement of slaying Immortal General Yu Yue.

I hope the High Immortals and Imperial Majesties will take this seriously and not allow him to grow stronger. Earth Immortal Long Chang thought to himself. If he's allowed to mature, he might come after me one day.

Based on his predictions, such a peerless genius would surely continue his cultivation journey in an Archeldritch tribe. But who was to say that Hou Feng wouldn’t return to the Hou Cheng Tribe after becoming a true powerhouse?

Earth Immortal Long Chang had no desire to face a high-tier eldritch tribe with a High Eldritch in the future. That would surely be a nightmare.

He chose to report this information immediately.

…

Heavenly Pillar Mountain was a true mountain, with a diameter exceeding thirty million li. It reached a height of hundreds of millions of li, towering into the clouds, as if propping up the heavens. Hence its name, Heavenly Pillar.

Heavenly Pillar Mountain seemed to merge imperceptibly with the vast, boundless earth, harboring immense power. Located at the center of Huanggu, its silhouette could be seen across the land even from billions of li away.

In this era, it was the stronghold of the immortal race.

Heavenly Pillar Mountain was not just a mountain, but also an incredibly grand world array. Within it, the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race had created dozens of worlds, known as the Thirty-Three Heavens. Each world was immeasurably vast, home to countless immortals.

The Seventh Heaven spanned over ten million li.

In a majestic floating immortal hall in the east of this world, numerous immortal cultivators were gathered.

"Long Chang Immortal City reports that the Hou Cheng Tribe has produced a peerless genius who, as an Eldritch Warrior, slew an Immortal General and then passed the first six levels of the Archeldritch Trial," a young man in golden armor sitting on a jade platform calmly stated. "The intelligence is too limited, but by my calculations, his talent should rank in the top twenty in eldritch race history.

If left unchecked, there's a high probability that the eldritch race will gain another High Eldritch, perhaps even a peak-stage High Eldritch powerhouse.

I suggest we report this to the Heavenly Master and launch an attack to destroy the Hou Cheng Tribe and kill him," the golden-armored youth proposed.

"Report it to the Heavenly Master?"

"Just because of an Eldritch Warrior?" Immediately, the other two golden-armored figures in the hall hesitated. All three were High Immortals, responsible for gathering much of the immortal race's intelligence.

Naturally, they were all quite familiar with the three Imperial Majesties and the various Heavenly Masters, and were well aware of the Heavenly Masters' temperaments.

"That won't be necessary!" A cold voice suddenly resonated throughout the hall, reaching the ears of the three High Immortals. "It’s likely that we won’t have the chance to kill Hou Feng for the time being."

"Heavenly Master."

The three High Immortals immediately rose and bowed respectfully.

A blurred figure appeared not far away, clad in white robes, exuding an ethereal, carefree aura like that of a deity.

"I've already received word that the Hou Cheng Tribe has mobilized all its forces to protect Hou Feng. Even if we sent two or three High Immortals, it might not be sufficient to breach the Hou Cheng Tribe's defenses," the blurred figure in white robes said in a low voice.

"And the Earth Archeldritch tribe will likely send High Eldritches to escort him, most probably including peak-stage High Eldritch powerhouses.”

Hearing this, the faces of the three High Immortals changed slightly.

"Our chances are slim. In as little as one or two days, or at most three to five days, he'll be escorted away. I estimate that by the time our troops arrive, he will have already left with them," the blurred figure in white robes said. "We'll have to wait for another opportunity.

Perhaps when this Hou Feng truly becomes an Eldritch General or Earth Eldritch, he'll venture out to temper himself and participate in wars. At that time, we can seek an opportunity to eliminate him."

"Understood," the three golden-armored High Immortals respectfully replied.

Hum~ The blurred figure in white robes slowly faded away.

"The Heavenly Master has spoken, so let's put this matter aside for now," the golden-armored High Immortal shook his head slightly, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes.

They were all High Immortals. But within the Immortal Court, the status gap between the Imperial Majesties, Heavenly Masters, and ordinary High Immortals was insurmountable.

"Let's move on to the next topic."

…

In the depths of the sprawling hall complex of the Earth Eldritch Hall within the Hou Cheng Tribe.

It’s indeed much faster to comprehend the Law of Life here. Wu Yuan mused, feeling quite pleased.

In his spirit, the profundities of the Intermediate Laws of Longevity, True Domain, and Celestial Body gradually converged, resulting in incredibly wondrous changes.

His Dao comprehension level seemed unchanged. But once fused and unified, it would undergo a qualitative transformation.

At this rate, I might be able to reach the seventh-level Domain stage or higher in just twenty or thirty years. Wu Yuan thought to himself in amazement.

In the Greenridge Macrocosm, it would have taken at least a hundred years. The Immutable Land was indeed extraordinary.

However, comparing the progress in Dao comprehension between myself and my qi refiner self, time flows at the same rate in this world and the Greenridge Macrocosm. Wu Yuan pondered.

Previously, he had been concerned about different time flow rates. But now it seemed that manipulating time wasn't as simple as he had imagined, especially if it affected an entire world.

In the blink of an eye, more than a day had passed since he took part in the Archeldritch Trial.

"Hou Feng, High Eldritch Hou Zhi and I will be coming to see you shortly," a gentle voice suddenly echoed in Wu Yuan's mind. It was Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng.

Wu Yuan instantly opened his eyes, his vital aura returning to normal. High Eldritch Hou Zhi? That’s fast.

Originally, Wu Yuan had assumed it would take at least two or three days for the High Eldritches from the Archeldritch tribe to arrive. He only had a vague understanding of the High Eldritches of the eldritch race and knew next to nothing about each of them.

Wu Yuan waited patiently.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Soon, several figures appeared in Wu Yuan's hall, led by a middle-aged man with black hair, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Standing beside him were two burly men in black armor, their auras equally impressive, only slightly weaker. Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng stood next to them, appearing quite ordinary in comparison. It seemed three High Eldritches had arrived.

Three High Eldritches? Wu Yuan was secretly astonished.

Though he wasn't exactly sure about the peak level of strength of the eldritch race, Wu Yuan had made some guesses through conversations with Eldritch General Hou She and others.

An Archeldritch tribe probably wouldn't have more than a hundred High Eldritches in their ranks. The entire eldritch race might have at most three to four hundred High Eldritches, each considered an important combat force.

Yet, three of them personally made a trip down just to meet him?

"Hou Feng pays his respects to the High Eldritches and Chieftain," Wu Yuan bowed.

Though his Dao comprehension might rival that of a High Eldritch, the gap in his fundamental strength was too great. A High Eldritch could kill him with a single slap. Wu Yuan naturally understood how to conduct himself.

"Hou Feng, this is High Eldritch Hou Zhi, a peak-stage High Eldritch of our Earth Archeldritch tribe, second only to the Eldritch Deities In terms of strength, he is on par with the Heavenly Masters of the Immortal Court," Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng introduced the black-haired, middle-aged man.

The peak stage of the High Eldritch phase? Wu Yuan's heart stirred.

According to the classifications in the Greenridge Macrocosm, ordinary High Immortals and High Eldritches would typically have a third-degree immortal root.

Without even a third-degree immortal root, one couldn't possibly become a High Immortal or High Eldritch. No matter how incredible one's Dao comprehension aptitude, it was useless.

As for the High Immortals and High Eldritches, their power was usually divided into First to Sixth Tribulation.

Those who have overcome their First to Third Tribulation are usually referred to as ordinary High Immortals and High Eldritches. Wu Yuan mused silently. Their Dao comprehension typically ranges from the fourth to seventh-level Dao Field stage of a Lesser Law.

Those who have completed their Fourth to Sixth Tribulation are considered peak-stage High Eldritches. Those who overcome their Sixth Tribulation generally reach the ninth-level Dao Field stage of a Lesser Law.

Beyond that was the Seventh Tribulation. To pass the Seventh Immortal Tribulation, one usually needed to fully comprehend a Lesser Law or advance an Intermediate Law to the Dao Field stage.

Of course, if one fully comprehended a Lesser Law, they could also choose to forge an Archimmortal body after passing the Seventh Tribulation, becoming a Seventh Tribulation Archimmortal.

There were nine Immortal Tribulations, each one unavoidable.

A Seventh Tribulation Archimmortal could live up to one hundred million years, but no more than that. Before the end of their lifespans, they must complete the Eighth and Ninth Immortal Tribulations.

Only by passing the Ninth Immortal Tribulation could one truly exist as eternally as heaven itself, with a lifespan reaching inconceivable lengths. Those at this level were qualified to receive the Astral Lord title bestowed by various major factions. Ordinary Archimmortals were not qualified for the Astral Lord title.

The nine Immortal Tribulations transform the mana and Yuan Soul of High Immortals and High Eldritches, preparing them for the final forging of the Archimmortal or Archeldritch body. Wu Yuan pondered. The Immortal Tribulations are both trials and opportunities.

But the Huanggu world has no Immortal Tribulations. I wonder how powerful the peak-stage High Eldritches here are.

Various thoughts flashed through Wu Yuan's mind.

The difference between an individual who completed their Sixth Tribulation versus First Tribulation was immense. Understanding the peak combat power of this world as soon as possible was crucial for Wu Yuan.