Yuan’s Ascension

"He's been hit."

"Hou Feng was struck."

"Imperial Majesty Da Yan sacrificed his life for this attack. It must be unimaginably devastating. It might even be enough to kill Hou Feng outright." Heavenly Master Lei Guang and Heavenly Master Jiu Zhu instantly noticed this, jubilation filling their hearts.

After the fall of High Immortal Wu Zong, they were the weakest among the fleeing immortal race members. They were also the most fearful.

Seeing Imperial Majesty Da Yan willing to sacrifice his life, burning it all away to kill Wu Yuan, they were naturally the most excited.

As for Imperial Majesty Da Yan's death? The two of them weren't deeply affected. As Heavenly Masters, they were actually leaders of their own separate races, only submitting to the Imperial Majesties due to their superior strength.

If they had enough power, they would have declared independence long ago. The immortal race was far less united internally than the eldritch race.

"Third Brother." Imperial Majesty Nan You, flying at high speed, was seething with rage.

"No!" Imperial Majesty Lei Fu’s roar rang out, his eyes bloodshot with grief and rage.

For hundreds of thousands of years, the three brothers had supported each other through thick and thin. Only by going through numerous tribulations together did they reach their current positions as the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race, vowing to jointly resist the eldritch race.

Today, they could only watch helplessly as Imperial Majesty Da Yan perished. The sorrow and indignation in their hearts were naturally indescribable.

Whoosh! Whoosh! However, no matter how angry or hateful they were, Imperial Majesty Lei Fu and Imperial Majesty Nan You didn't hesitate for a moment and continued to flee into the distance.

Turn back to attack Wu Yuan? As powerhouses who had fully comprehended a Dao, their perceptive abilities were incredibly keen. They could clearly perceive that Wu Yuan's vital aura hadn't weakened at all, indicating that his soul hadn't suffered much damage.

His current special state was likely due to other reasons, such as illusions, Soulquake, or similar techniques. And these techniques were unlikely to be fatal. In simple terms—Wu Yuan could regain consciousness at any moment.

If they didn’t flee now, when would they?

…

"Eldritch Deity Hou Feng."

"Hou Feng." Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and High Eldritch Hou Zhi watched Wu Yuan in growing alarm as his speed faltered.

Imperial Majesty Da Yan was the most mysterious among the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race. Given that he sacrificed his life to unlock the Creation Divine Artifact’s power, the resulting attack had to be absolutely terrifying.

Setting aside its other aspects, the attack’s ability to bypass time and space was enough to strike fear into their hearts. Soul attacks from higher dimensions usually took at least a fraction of time to traverse spacetime. But the rainbow light from the Mirror of Creation had appeared instantly, as if teleporting directly to strike Wu Yuan with zero delay.

"It must be a soul attack, there are no physical fluctuations at all," said Eldritch Deity Hou Tu.

"Eldritch Deity Hou Feng." High Eldritch Hou Zhi's worry deepened as they watched.

They attempted to rouse Wu Yuan through communicating via Soul Will, while also trying to intercept Imperial Majesty Nan You.

Imperial Majesty Nan You and Imperial Majesty Lei Fu were fleeing in different directions. Imperial Majesty Nan You also had the support of his Creation Divine Artifact, and the power he unleashed was slightly stronger than Eldritch Deity Hou Tu.

Moreover, Heavenly Master Lei Guang and Heavenly Master Jiu Zhu suddenly joined forces to rescue Imperial Majesty Nan You for some unknown reason.

Boom! Rumble! Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and Imperial Majesty Nan You clashed violently, exchanging blows in rapid succession.

However, Imperial Majesty Nan You was hell-bent on escaping and had the aid of two great Heavenly Masters. In the end, Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and High Eldritch Hou Zhi could only watch helplessly as Imperial Majesty Nan You and his allies turned into streaks of light, disappearing into the distance.

"No need to pursue. If we corner them, it might not end well."

"In a life-or-death battle, we would actually be at a disadvantage." Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and High Eldritch Hou Zhi didn't give chase.

In their view, even if they failed to kill Imperial Majesty Lei Fu, Imperial Majesty Nan You, and the others in this battle, it wasn’t a big deal.

Wu Yuan had only cultivated for such a short time, yet he could completely dominate the three Imperial Majesties. With a few more years of cultivation, even if the two Imperial Majesties hid away, Wu Yuan could still breach the defenses of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.

Moreover, one of the three Imperial Majesties was already gone. In future battles, they would only need to face two Imperial Majesties instead of three.

Their main concern remained Wu Yuan.

"Hou Feng." Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and High Eldritch Hou Zhi rushed back to where Wu Yuan hovered unconscious in the air, his head drooped. His vital aura still surged and billowed outwards, preventing them from approaching any closer.

No matter how many times they called out to him via Soul Will, there was no response.

"This is bad."

"We don't know what technique Imperial Majesty Da Yan used in his final strike.”

Worry etched across their faces.

If Wu Yuan didn’t awaken—or worse, if he died—it would be a catastrophic loss for the Huanggu eldritch race.

Whoosh! A graceful, red-robed figure suddenly appeared out of thin air. It was Eldritch General Hou Tong, whom Eldritch Deity Hou Tu had kept safely out of harm’s way earlier.

Although she wasn't strong enough to participate in the battle, she had been observing from the shadows and roughly understood the situation.

"Hou Feng." A cloud of worry darkened Hou Tong’s expression as she approached Wu Yuan, sensing that something was seriously wrong.

…

"Formless, soundless, everything is but a dream..."

"Come, submit to me, become the ruler of this world..."

"Haha, establish the heart of heaven and earth..." Various voices resonated endlessly in Wu Yuan's mind as his consciousness was dragged through a terrifying ordeal.

Illusions haunted him one after another, burying his mind deeper into chaos.

These illusions all targeted the deepest desires in the hearts of living beings, desires for knowledge, power, procreation, pleasure, food... They struck directly at the spirit, making them exceptionally potent. Most High Immortals would have lost themselves to such illusions, unable to escape.

Each one of these illusions was no less powerful than the Apotheosis Yuan Soul Tribulation, some even more terrifying.

After all, the tribulations sent down by heaven and earth were adjusted for each individual. When Wu Yuan underwent the Apotheosis Yuan Soul Tribulation, he had only cultivated for mere decades. The illusions formed then were a great ordeal for Wu Yuan at that time, but in the eyes of truly powerful beings, they were insignificant.

If Wu Yuan had just completed his Apotheosis Yuan Soul Tribulation, this move by Imperial Majesty Da Yan would have seriously endangered him, possibly plunging him into slumber for an unknown length of time, or even killing him outright.

However, the current Wu Yuan not only had a much stronger soul, but had also made great strides in his Dao Heart and willpower.

Traveling for nearly two hundred years and contemplating the Laws was also a way of tempering his inner heart.

Too weak. Too shallow. How could such illusions hope to agitate me? I’ve endured the Apotheosis Yuan Soul Tribulation, and saw through all twelve selves. After centuries of tempering, ordinary illusions can't affect me at all. Shatter!

Wu Yuan’s Dao Heart was as solid as an iceberg, unmoved by the illusions. His consciousness, a piercing ray of divine light, shattered the illusions one by one.

What surprised him, however, was the sheer number of illusions, and how each one grew more powerful than the last. The deeper he went, the harder they were to break. It was as if he was ascending an endless ladder.

However, Wu Yuan's heart didn't waver in the slightest, nor did he have any thought of giving up. He kept firmly breaking through each one.

You can't stop me. Break! Break! Break! Wu Yuan roared from the depths of his spirit

Abruptly, all the surrounding scenes shattered with a thunderous crash, and his consciousness was restored to clarity.

He broke through all 5500 illusions, from the lowest High Immortal level one to the highest rivaling the Archimmortal level. All in all, it took him a quarter of an hour.

Wu Yuan exhaled deeply, his eyes opening. He surveyed his surroundings: “Eldritch Deity Hou Tu, High Eldritch Hou Zhi.”

As for Imperial Majesty Lei Fu, Imperial Majesty Nan You, and the others? There was no trace of them.

"He's awake."

"Eldritch Deity Hou Feng." A flicker of joy and relief crossed the faces of Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and High Eldritch Hou Zhi.

A quarter of an hour! What kind of soul attack could last so long? As time passed, their concern had only deepened. Now that Wu Yuan had fully awakened, they could finally relax.

Suddenly, a figure clad in red robes darted into Wu Yuan’s arms, embracing him tightly. Tears glistened in her eyes. "Hou Feng... I was so scared just now!"

Wu Yuan stood frozen, feeling the warmth of her body. For a moment, he was taken aback.

It was the first time Hou Tong had shown such vulnerability and raw emotion.

She clung to him, as though afraid she would truly lose him.

"Hou Tong," Wu Yuan murmured softly.

He took in her beautiful face, now streaked with tears. Hou Tong, always straightforward, was never one for flowery words. So, no more was said.

This time, Wu Yuan didn't push her away. He rejected her advances numerous times in the past, but to do so now would be too cruel.

Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and High Eldritch Hou Zhi exchanged knowing glances and withdrew to a distance, giving Wu Yuan and Hou Tong some privacy.

"Hou Feng." After a long while, Hou Tong shifted, releasing him of her own accord. Her expression had returned to normal, though a faint blush still colored her cheeks.

As a powerful Eldritch General, her Dao Heart and willpower were formidable. She wouldn't truly behave like a young girl.

Wu Yuan sighed inwardly. He knew that this was already her limit.

“Hou Tong, is this truly what you want?” Wu Yuan asked suddenly.

Hou Tong, who had been regaining her composure, was taken aback. She stared at Wu Yuan, hardly believing what she'd heard. She never expected Wu Yuan to broach the subject so abruptly.

“For centuries, you’ve stayed by my side,” Wu Yuan continued, his voice soft but serious. “I know how you feel. The truth is, I’ve never disliked you.

Humans were governed by seven emotions and six desires. Wu Yuan was no saint; how could he not feel anything? After centuries together, he knew his bond with Hou Tong ran deep. Their personalities were quite compatible as well.

"Then?" Hou Tong found herself at a loss for words.

"I have my reasons," Wu Yuan said calmly. "Once the matter with the immortal race is settled, I'll explain everything to you."

"Mm." Hou Tong nodded gently. Her mind raced with speculations.

Wu Yuan sighed inwardly.

When Hou Tong had flung herself into his arms, his heart had indeed skipped a beat. A woman who had stayed by his side for centuries, never complaining, worrying herself sick when he faced danger. Who wouldn't be moved, even a little?

When the heart dwells on something, karma is born. Wu Yuan mused inwardly. He prided himself on understanding his own heart.

Matters of the heart were the most difficult to express. There was no point in delaying. Whether to pursue or end it, decisiveness was key.

On the path of cultivation, there would always be attachments. Whether to sever them or attempt to fulfill them, both were valid choices. But constantly evading the issue would only breed regret, and might even give rise to heart devils in the future.

Soon after, Eldritch Deity Hou Tu and High Eldritch Hou Zhi returned, asking Wu Yuan about everything he had just experienced.

"An illusion?"

"The illusions Imperial Majesty Da Yan unleashed in his dying breath must have been absolutely horrifying. Thousands of them, each more horrifying than the last. I'm not sure I could have withstood it," High Eldritch Hou Zhi remarked with genuine admiration. He looked at Wu Yuan with newfound respect.

Great power could be attributed to natural talent, but to possess such a formidable Dao Heart after only a few centuries of cultivation was truly commendable.

"I've been thinking," Wu Yuan said with a smile. "Perhaps Imperial Majesty Da Yan wasn't fully aware of the power of his dying strike. Otherwise, Imperial Majesty Nan You and Imperial Majesty Lei Fu wouldn't have fled, but chosen to counterattack instead."