Yuan’s Ascension

"Hou Feng, there's no need to worry. Though I don't know which realm you came from, you are still part of the eldritch race lineage. I won't do anything to you," the Snake Ancestor's voice carried a hint of amusement. "I control part of the authority of heaven and earth in Huanggu. Before today, I’ve never met you and thus didn’t notice that you were not a lifeform of Huanggu.

But the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew." The Snake Ancestor gazed down at Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan’s mind reeled.

So it was through the so-called authority of heaven and earth that it sensed this?

He knew that the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race could control part of the authority of heaven and earth through the Creation Divine Artifacts.

"Don't worry, you're not the only one who isn't from the Huanggu world. I'm not from here either," the Snake Ancestor said calmly.

"Back then, the four great Archeldritches were all visitors from beyond this world, coming here to spread teachings and enabling our eldritch race lineage to multiply and thrive, occupying this land."

Wu Yuan listened intently.

He truly did not know such secrets about this land.

"Snake Ancestor, this junior entered this world by accident, I truly did not intend to intrude," Wu Yuan said. "However, as I am also of the eldritch race lineage, before leaving Huanggu, I will do my utmost to help the Huanggu eldritch race defeat the immortal race." These words came from the bottom of Wu Yuan's heart.

"I believe you," said the Snake Ancestor. "We are both outsiders here. I’m not too interested in prying into your reasons for coming to Huanggu.

But if I had to guess, it's probably for some of the opportunities left behind by the Archeldritches, right? However, if you want to obtain the opportunities of the Creation Divine Hall, the best way forward is to help the eldritch race win this war."

Wu Yuan was inwardly shocked.

As expected of a being who once followed the Earth Archeldritch. To see through him at a glance, its insight and experience were truly extraordinary.

"Thank you, Snake Ancestor," Wu Yuan said.

"You want to obtain the opportunities of this world, be it the Archeldritch Hall or the Creation Divine Hall. As for me, I am here to protect the eldritch race lineage until a native Archeldritch is born among them with the ability to control this world. Our goals do not conflict, and I won't stop you," the Snake Ancestor looked at Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan listened attentively.

"You're only an Eldritch Warrior now, yet your Dao comprehension is close to the Archeldritch level.

Such a monstrous prodigy is beyond my imagination. It seems your background is even greater than I imagined. Is there an Astral Monarch or Sovereign behind you?" The Snake Ancestor gazed down at Wu Yuan. "I hope we can cooperate."

Wu Yuan grew increasingly shocked as he listened.

The Snake Ancestor's perspective and knowledge were beyond imagination. It even knew of Sovereigns?

This Huanggu World didn’t seem particularly vast, and appeared quite isolated, yet it contained special treasures like the Archeldritch Hall, Creation Divine Hall, and Archeldritch Origin.

Now it appeared there were likely other secrets involved behind the scenes. It was not created specifically for him by the Immutable Land.

"This junior is willing to hear more details," Wu Yuan said respectfully.

"Your Dao comprehension is deep enough. With your talent, it will rapidly improve further. But you are not a native lifeform, so you are unable to control the authority of heaven and earth directly," the Snake Ancestor slowly explained.

"The so-called authority of heaven and earth is the most fundamental power bestowed upon lifeforms by this world, to act on behalf of heaven.

The core of Huanggu consists of the four Dao essences of Earth, Fire, Wood, and Water."

Wu Yuan listened in shock.

This was his first time hearing an explanation on the authority of heaven and earth. Power bestowed by the essence of this world? One had to be a native lifeform?

"Anyone who can fully comprehend any Lesser Law and integrate their soul into the Dao essence of this world can harness the power from the essence of this world. This power is the authority bestowed by heaven and earth!

This authority can only be possessed within this world. Once one leaves this world, the authority will be stripped away.

The deeper one's comprehension of the Dao, the more power one can harness. When comprehension deepens to the point where one masters any Intermediate Law among the four Greater Laws, one can truly brand their aura imprint onto the complete Dao Essence of this world," the Snake Ancestor said.

"At that time, one will become the undisputed master of this world, truly acting with the mandate of heaven! One's will becomes heaven's will.

Even without Immortal Tribulations, one can tap into the power of Heaven and Earth's Essence to transform oneself, evolving to become an Archeldritch," the Snake Ancestor slowly said. "As long as the world does not perish, one will not perish. With but a wave of the hand, one will possess the mighty power of the entire world."

Understanding dawned on Wu Yuan.

The reason the Snake Ancestor stayed behind was likely to provide guidance to the Huanggu eldritch race, assisting them in producing a powerhouse that could fully master an Intermediate Law. That being would truly control this world.

"The first being to fully comprehend an Intermediate Law becomes the master of this world? What about the second?" Wu Yuan asked curiously.

"The authority of heaven and earth is singular," the Snake Ancestor gave a mysterious expression.

"There can only be one emperor among men, just as there cannot be two suns in the sky. Similarly, while the aura imprint of the previous generation's master remains, how can future generations brand their aura imprints?" the Snake Ancestor said calmly.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

It sounded like a race, competing for the sole chance of survival. Once there was a successful candidate, countless latecomers were destined to fail. No matter how monstrous or heaven-defying, they could not surpass their predecessor.

"However, while it might sound good that ‘the authority of heaven and earth is singular’, wielding this authority is both a right and a responsibility.

What one gains will always be proportional to what one gives. Once an aura imprint is branded, breaking free becomes nearly impossible.

It's like an emperor among men—with supreme power concentrated in one person. But if there are mistakes in one’s governance that lead to chaos in the world, one may even find it difficult to preserve their own life. At that time, even if one wants to abdicate to preserve their life, would it be possible?"

Wu Yuan listened, secretly shocked.

Wielding the sole authority of heaven and earth was like being an emperor among men?

Though the Snake Ancestor made it sound simple, Wu Yuan had a vague feeling that he had just learned some great secret.

This Huanggu World, which seemed only the size of an immortal continent, appeared even more mysterious when compared to a vast immortal nation, involving many secrets.

"Snake Ancestor," Wu Yuan suddenly realized something. "If you're an outsider like me, how can you control part of the authority of heaven and earth?"

The Snake Ancestor uttered slowly, "Archeldritch Divine Artifact."

Wu Yuan was momentarily stunned.

"The Archeldritch Divine Artifacts contain the will of the Archeldritches," the Snake Ancestor looked at Wu Yuan. "The four great Archeldritches are not 'Archeldritches' as you understand them, but rather ‘Eldritches of Heaven’.

The divine weapons they left behind contain a complete and independent essence within. The essence is profound and vast. As long as one comprehends it deeply enough, one can borrow part of the authority and will contained within the Archeldritch Divine Artifact."

Wu Yuan listened, his heart trembling with shock.

Archeldritch? No! It was clearly Eldritch of Heaven. The difference between the two was as vast as the gap between heaven and earth.

Millions of years ago, what kind of beings were these so-called four Eldritches of Heaven who descended to this land? Astral Monarchs? Sovereigns? Or something else? Everything was a secret.

Wu Yuan had no way to research it. And clearly, although the Snake Ancestor claimed to have followed the Earth Archeldritch, it seemed to be equally vague about it.

"Only those from eldritch bloodlines can wield the Archeldritch Divine Artifacts," said the Snake Ancestor. "As for the Creation Divine Artifacts, they are even more mysterious. I don't know much about them.

If you want to know the secrets of the Creation Divine Artifacts, you'll have to find out yourself."

"I understand," Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

"I hope you can master the Archeldritch Divine Artifacts and use them to unleash your power to its fullest extent," said the Snake Ancestor. "Then, help the Huanggu eldritch race win the war.

With your talent, you should be able to accomplish it in a few thousand or tens of thousands of years at most.

In return, in the coming years, I will protect you as much as possible until you mature. If you have any other needs, you can inform me as well," the Snake Ancestor looked at Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan understood.

This was a transaction. As an outsider, he could never become an Archeldritch, and never naturally control the authority of heaven and earth in the Huanggu world.

So, to the Snake Ancestor, his greatest use was to destroy the immortal race. Unfortunately, he didn't have that much time, only a thousand years.

"This junior is willing to try his best," Wu Yuan said.

He had no reason to reject the Snake Ancestor's proposal.

"Come with me." The Snake Ancestor flew out of the lake, and then began to shrink at a visible speed – from a thousand zhangs, to a hundred zhangs... until it was only around thirty zhangs in length.

It flew towards a distant cave.

Wu Yuan hurriedly followed.