Yuan's Ascension

In the fifth zone of the third trial ground.

Exhilarating! Truly exhilarating. Guided by these Dao pattern diagrams, Wu Yuan’’s insights into the profundities of all things, accumulated over the past five hundred years, transformed into comprehension of the Great Dao of Spacetime.

His understanding of the Great Dao of Spacetime swiftly broke through to the third-level True Intent stage, then progressed toward the fourth-level True Intent stage.

It wasn't a direct transformation, but rather the insights allowed Wu Yuan to rapidly break through one bottleneck after another in his fusion of Spacetime.

Spacetime is the beginning of all things in heaven and earth.

Follow this sensation.

The first to third levels of Spacetime True Intent correspond to early-stage Astral Monarch comprehension. The fourth to sixth levels correspond to mid-stage Astral Monarch comprehension. Wu Yuan was completely immersed in his insights.

Countless flashes of inspiration flooded his mind.

On the path of cultivation, there were times when one had to bury oneself in arduous cultivation. But when the accumulation of insights reached a certain level and breakthroughs became difficult, that was when one needed that flash of inspiration and epiphany, just like when Wu Yuan first crystallized Time True Intent.

After entering the Black Devil Blood Hollow, his two true selves had spent over five hundred years analyzing the profundities of all things.

And these past decades, witnessing the Dao pattern diagrams on the stone walls, combined with powerful secret arts like the ‘Nine Swords of Spacetime’, he finally had an epiphany, entering an extremely special state.

At his level, even a brief cultivation session could last decades or centuries. So, Wu Yuan's state of epiphany likewise persisted for over a hundred years.

Seeing a hundred years pass by without him making any progress, many of the Archimmortals and Archdeities behind him secretly breathed sighs of relief, thinking Wu Yuan had encountered an insurmountable bottleneck.

Time flowed like water and a century passed by.

Finally, as the last strand of profundity was comprehended, it was as if an enormous puzzle had been completely pieced together.

Boom! An incredibly powerful wave of energy rippled out from Wu Yuan's body, as the pressure of Spacetime diffused outward.

Fourth level. Wu Yuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze bright. With a mental command, a lifebound flying sword flew forth.

Whoosh~ The flying sword, devoid of any mana, danced through the void, instantly leaving behind an enduring slash in space.

This slash not only remained in the Material Spatial Layer, but faintly penetrated the stable space, entering higher spatial dimensions, and causing spatial fluctuations to turn chaotic.

Its sharpness was boundless, enough to make any High Immortal or High Deity tremble with fear, and this was without any mana infused. If imbued with powerful mana, it would be enough to strike terror into the hearts of countless peak-stage Astral Lords.

The fifth step, Chaotic Void. I've finally grasped it. Wu Yuan smiled. Comprehending this move truly signified that Wu Yuan had reached a new level in the Great Dao of Spacetime.

Now, in terms of Dao comprehension, I have reached the mid-stage Astral Monarch level. Wu Yuan thought to himself.

In the past, it was said that his Dao comprehension rivaled that of Astral Monarchs, but in reality, he was at the bottom tier among Astral Monarchs. Relatively powerful Astral Monarchs could overpower him.

Now, the situation was entirely different.

The fourth step of the Nine Swords of Spacetime was an early-stage Astral Monarch-level move.

The fifth step was a mid-stage Astral Monarch-level move.

The sixth step would be a peak-stage Astral Monarch-level move.

If he could comprehend the seventh step, that would be a Sovereign-level technique.

With deeper Dao comprehension, completing these Dao pattern diagrams on the stone walls becomes much easier. Wu Yuan felt utterly elated. He then glanced at the other passageways.

Although it had taken a hundred years to process this epiphany, to this day, no one else had made it to the third zone, revealing the vast gulf between Wu Yuan and the others.

There’s no need to linger any longer. Time to complete them. Wu Yuan stood up and walked towards the incomplete Dao pattern diagrams on the distant stone wall.

What was once incomprehensible now became easily understood and quickly mastered. This was the difference a solid foundation could make.

Just a few months later, Wu Yuan completed the tenth incomplete Dao pattern diagram in the fifth zone.

Hum~ An invisible wave instantly spread throughout the third trial ground, sensed by every Archimmortal and Archdeity present.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan felt the barrier dissipate, and he proceeded to the sixth zone.

…

"The sixth zone already?"

"Ming Jian." Archimmortal Xiang Fei, Astral Lord Gu Shou, Astral Lord Xue Yao, Astral Lord Red Devil, and other powerhouses all sensed it.

It wasn’t just them. Within the grounds of the third trial, those three quasi-Astral Monarch level powerhouses were also present.

However, quasi-Astral Monarch strength didn't necessarily mean higher Dao comprehension than peak Astral Lords. So, they didn't stand out much.

"Ming Jian's breakthrough seems to have slowed somewhat!"

"No! The six zones of the third trial grounds grow increasingly difficult as one progresses. The second zone is several times harder than the first zone... By the fifth zone, I can't even imagine how difficult it is, yet Ming Jian only took a little over a hundred years."

"The sixth zone... how long will it take him to break through?" The Archimmortals and Archdeities speculated.

…

In the mysterious place within the Black Devil Blood Hollow.

"Hmm? So quick?" Big Devil stared at the scene projected on the light screen, utterly shocked. "He's completed the first Dao pattern diagram in less than three years after entering the sixth zone?"

"What?"

"That fast?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Didn't he spend over a hundred years in the fifth zone?" The other black-robed figures were all astonished.

"Within each zone, the difficulty of the ten incomplete Dao pattern diagrams is similar. If a candidate can complete one, they'll surely complete the remaining nine given enough time," Big Devil said softly. "It's incredible!"

The difficulty level of the six zones increased progressively. The sixth zone in particular saw a sharp rise in difficulty compared to the fifth zone.

In Big Devil's estimation, if Wu Yuan could clear the sixth zone within 300 years, that would be impressive enough.

"Everyone, let’s sit back and wait. Our Black Devil Blood Hollow may soon welcome a new master." Big Devil smiled.

…

Another decade passed in the blink of an eye.

The eighth one. Wu Yuan stood before this incomplete Dao pattern diagram. With a thought, his Soul Force stirred and mana poured forth, swiftly beginning to complete it.

He had long since comprehended those ten completed Dao pattern diagrams. Using the Dao comprehension of a mid-stage Astral Monarch to complete these Dao patterns was akin to bringing a cannon to a knife fight.

However, some of the concepts and profundities within these Dao patterns still gave Wu Yuan tremendous inspiration.

Sovereign Black Devil must have been a true peerless genius to leave behind so many Dao pattern diagrams. Did he crystallize the True Intent of all these Great Daos? Or perhaps he comprehended them to an even higher level? Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

The more he deduced and contemplated, the more he realized how formidable Sovereign Black Devil was. The thought of one person simultaneously cultivating so many paths was simply terrifying.

Even if I gain nothing else from this journey, my progress in Dao comprehension alone has been an enormous harvest. Wu Yuan thought to himself.

The only regret is that I've spent too much time in the Black Devil Blood Hollow, delaying my next spacetime mission. Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

He didn't mind it too much. The purpose of spacetime missions was to strengthen oneself, so there was no need to lose sight of the forest for the trees.

Moreover, with 100,000 years of allotted time on the Spacetime Island, Wu Yuan was confident that he could eventually accumulate 40,000 spacetime points with his current strength. At most, it would be delayed by a few thousand years.

A few thousand years earlier or later, what difference does it make? Wu Yuan calmed his mind.

He continued completing the eighth incomplete Dao pattern diagram.

…

By now, nearly two hundred Archimmortals and Archdeities had advanced to the third trial. But ninety percent of them remained in the first zone, and fewer than twenty had reached the second zone.

"Archimmortal Xiang Fei."

"Archimmortal Xiang Fei, a powerhouse from the Devil Realm who was previously only a sixth-stage Archimmortal, has reached the third zone so quickly..."

"Impressive!"

"She surpassed numerous quasi-Astral Monarchs and late-stage Astral Lords, how extraordinary."

"Ming Jian is a monstrous prodigy, likely the number one genius even in the history of our Dao Realm. His brilliance is only to be expected."

"Xiang Fei is the only one who can come close to Ming Jian." The Archimmortals and Archdeities discussed among themselves.

Even those powerhouses from the Dao Realm couldn't help but admire Archimmortal Xiang Fei. She had no background or assistance, and her strength wasn't considered exceptional, yet she had steadily climbed to the forefront, second only to Ming Jian. This proved her extraordinary potential.

The third zone. Archimmortal Xiang Fei proceeded to the third zone, unhurried and steady, continuing to comprehend the Dao pattern diagrams at her own pace.

Wu Yuan stood before the last incomplete Dao pattern diagram, now flawless. Finally, it’s completed.

All ten Dao pattern diagrams in the sixth zone are completed. I should have passed this third trial with flying colors. Wu Yuan smiled. Obtaining twelve Black Devil Tokens means I can advance to the eighth trial directly.

Whoosh! At that instant, a beam of light soared skyward, followed by an immense wave that enveloped the grounds of the third trial.

This disturbance was so shocking that all Archimmortals and Archdeities instantly opened their eyes, instinctively looking toward its source.

"It's Ming Jian!"

"What's happening?"

"Could it be..." At this moment, layers of dazzlingly radiant light enveloped Wu Yuan. All the Archimmortals and Archdeities stared at this scene in utter shock.

They all understood what was happening, yet could scarcely believe it. Wu Yuan had only entered the sixth zone a mere decade ago.

"This shouldn't be possible. Even if Ming Jian progresses unimaginably quickly, there should be a limit, right?"

"He spent over a hundred years in the fifth zone. How could he complete the even more difficult sixth zone in just over ten years?" Astral Lord Gu Shou, Astral Lord Red Devil, and the others felt as though they were dreaming.

The sixth zone? Archimmortal Xiang Fei gazed from afar, faintly sighing.

It wasn't that she hadn't worked hard enough; she had simply encountered an opponent that was far too monstrous.

I should focus on myself. Archimmortal Xiang Fei instead lowered her head and continued her comprehension.

…

"This!"

"There's no hope left." Most of the Archimmortals and Archdeities naturally lacked Archimmortal Xiang Fei's mindset, sighing in despair one after another.

They all knew that Wu Yuan had previously obtained six Black Devil Tokens, and now he would gain another six. That meant he would have twelve Black Devil Tokens in total, allowing him to advance to the eighth trial. Given the talent he had displayed, the possibility of him obtaining the inheritance was extremely high.

Hum~ Silently, the black-robed Big Devil appeared in the void. His gaze fell onto Wu Yuan, no longer cold but instead revealing a hint of a smile. "Ming Jian, well done."

Utter silence.

Apart from Archimmortal Xiang Fei, all the other powerhouses looked up at Big Devil.

"By successfully completing the third trial with an outstanding performance, you have earned the right to receive six additional Black Devil Tokens," Big Devil said slowly.

Whoosh! Six Black Devil Tokens appeared in the air before Wu Yuan.

"With this, you have obtained a total of twelve Black Devil Tokens," Big Devil smiled. "You are now qualified to advance to the eighth trial."

As expected! All the Archimmortals and Archdeities felt their hearts sink.

"The eighth trial is the final trial, created by the Sovereign. I do not know the specific nature of the trial or what it holds," Big Devil said slowly.

"There is only one thing I must tell you: If you succeed, then you will be the new master of the Black Devil Blood Hollow. You will also be my master." Big Devil stared at Wu Yuan. "However, the contents of the final inheritance ground must not be leaked.

If you fail, then you will certainly perish. Not just your current body, but even if you have other incarnations or even another true self, they will all suffer karmic backlash and perish.”

Silence fell.

All the Archimmortals and Archdeities were startled. So the eighth trial was truly do or die – one could either succeed and become the new master of the Black Devil Blood Hollow, with a bright future ahead, or fail and perish right away!

It wasn’t just the death of one’s mana body or ether body, but even one’s true self in the external world would perish.

"Ming Jian, you must now choose whether you are willing to proceed to the eighth trial," Big Devil stared at Wu Yuan. "If you are unwilling, I will send you away."

Failure means death? Wu Yuan frowned slightly.

His true self was participating in this trial. Moreover, it would affect his body refiner self as well?

Whysee's Thoughts

For reference:

Type of Lifeform

Phases

Title/other names

Stages

Lifespan (years)

Mortal

Tribulation

High Immortal (pseudo-immortal)

1-3 Tribulations: ordinary, 4-6 Tribulations: peak-stage

1,000,000

Sempiternal

Archimmortal (early-stage sempiternal lifeform)

Heavenly Immortal (complete 7-8 tribulations)

7th Tribulation: 1st-3rd stage, 8th Tribulation: 4th-6th stage

100,000,000+

Astral Lord (complete 9 Tribulations)

7th-9th stage

Billions of years

Astral Monarch (mid-stage sempiternal lifeform)

Stages are based on overall strength - factors include mana/immortal root degree, Dao comprehension, techniques.

Immortal root: 2nd degree = base-level Astral Monarch mana, first-degree = first-level Astral Monarch mana, Apotheosis = Apotheosis-level Astral Monarch mana

As long as heaven and earth (till end of current samsara cycle)

Dao Field of Greater Law: 1st-3rd level = early-stage Astral Monarch, 4th-6th level = mid-stage Astral Monarch, 7-9th level = late-stage Astral Monarch, 9th level = peak-stage Astral Monarch

Techniques (power varies by 1. degree of mastery - small, great, complete/full, 2. strength of technique itself): early-stage Astral Monarch, mid-stage Astral Monarch, peak-stage Astral Monarch, Sovereign-level