Yuan’s Ascension

"This is the Daoist Scripture Realm," Big Devil pointed to the dense swarm of immortal slips floating in the void. "Here you can find the originals of numerous formidable teachings, all left behind by the Sovereign. However, the truly precious ones are the hundred-odd immortal slips at the very top. Each immortal slip contains a Sovereign-level teaching.

Master can slowly ponder and comprehend them. You can also choose to bestow these teachings upon your devil army subordinates," Big Devil said.

"So many teachings?" Wu Yuan was delighted.

He didn't lack teachings at the moment. But the greatest advantage of these teachings was that he could distribute them freely, without any restrictions.

When I have time, I'll screen the entire Daoist Scripture Realm and send some back to the Summerpeak World. Wu Yuan thought to himself. If there are any suitable precious artifacts, I can send those to Master as well.

…

Time flowed on as Big Devil led Wu Yuan around the Black Devil Blood Hollow.

"Master, this is the Artifact Realm." Big Devil pointed to the empty world below, his tone somewhat resigned, "During the great decisive battle between the devil army and the various Dao Realm factions, almost all treasures were emptied out.

In the end, the Dao Master intervened, the devil army was utterly defeated, and the Sovereign fell. Although the Dao Master was merciful and left the Black Devil Blood Hollow intact, countless artifacts were not returned.

A vast amount of precious materials were also almost entirely consumed in preparation for the great decisive battle.

So, within the entire Black Devil Blood Hollow, what countless immortal cultivators lack most are various cultivation resources. Their cultivation consumes shocking amounts of resources," Big Devil shook his head and said.

"This is also why fewer powerful individuals are born in the Devil Realm. After all, in terms of the speed at which treasures and materials are generated, the Black Devil Blood Hollow is far inferior to a real expanse of heaven and earth."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

He could understand the issue. However, understanding didn't mean Wu Yuan had no interests of his own. "Big Devil, I want you to gather a batch of treasures from the various worlds of the Devil Realm. I will be exchanging them for divine crystals,” he said.

"How many divine crystals do you need?" A trace of unease flashed through Big Devil's mind.

"Not too many,” Wu Yuan shook his head and said, "Ninety billion divine crystals."

To upgrade nine lifebound flying swords along the optimal evolution pathway from low-grade celestial artifacts to mid-grade celestial artifacts, he would require around that number of divine crystals.

This was also why so many super powerhouses, even some Sovereigns, ultimately didn't choose the optimal evolution pathway while they were at the High Immortal or High Deity stages.

The cost was simply too great. Ninety billion divine crystals would likely bankrupt many Astral Monarchs.

"Ninety billion divine crystals?" Hearing this, Big Devil breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "I was worried Master would require hundreds of billions of divine crystals worth of treasures. Gathering treasures worth ninety billion divine crystals from the various worlds of the Black Devil Blood Hollow shouldn't be difficult. I’ll just plunder tens of thousands of Archimmortals and Archdeities."

Not difficult? Wu Yuan muttered to himself.

He realized that he had yet to adjust his mindset.

The Black Devil Blood Hollow, a top-tier Dao Instrument, was like a small expanse of heaven and earth, with numerous functions. Such a treasure would be coveted by numerous Sovereigns.

With tens of thousands of worlds within the Blood Hollow, gathering some treasures worth an Astral Monarch’s wealth was hardly challenging.

Ninety billion divine crystals sounded like a lot. But in reality, it couldn't even purchase a mid-grade Dao Instrument like the Nine Star Lotus Platforms.

The treasures Sovereigns needed were mostly beyond what divine crystals could buy.

The treasures left behind by Sovereign Black Devil might not seem like much to him. Wu Yuan thought to himself. But just the Black Devil Blood Hollow and the Devil Subduing Tome, these two high-grade Dao Instruments, probably rival the entire wealth of many ordinary Sovereigns.

In other words, Wu Yuan’s qi refiner self, having obtained Sovereign Black Devil's inheritance, possessed wealth and assets that could rival those of an ordinary Sovereign.

From now on, I need to broaden my horizons and perspective. Wu Yuan smiled.

…

Before long, Wu Yuan and Big Devil, having toured the entire Black Devil Blood Hollow, returned to one of the two core areas, the Devil Ground.

"Master, though you've received the inheritance, I suggest you don't leave just yet," Big Devil said.

"Oh?" Wu Yuan was surprised.

"Firstly, it will take some time for me to gather treasures worth ninety billion divine crystals.

Secondly, the trials aren't over, and these devil army candidates haven't been fully screened yet," Big Devil pointed to the figures still undergoing trials in the massive light screen nearby.

"Once Master leaves, the various Dao Realm factions will immediately conclude that you've received the inheritance, and the powerhouses from the Dao Realm will likely swiftly self-destruct.

Among these Dao Realm powerhouses, there are some with extremely high potential," Big Devil said. "However, the Devil Subduing Tome can control at most a hundred at a time, so further screening is necessary.

I'll adjust the rules later to speed up the screening process, but it will still take several hundred years to make the final selection," Big Devil said.

"Alright," Wu Yuan nodded.

Several hundred years? He could wait. The Dao Comprehension Realm within the Black Devil Blood Hollow provided a slightly better cultivation environment compared to the Spacetime Island.

The location he cultivated at wasn’t that important. The main advantage of cultivating on the Spacetime Island lay in the spacetime inheritances one could receive.

"Additionally, Master," Big Devil advised, "I suggest that you retrieve the Black Devil Blood Hollow and bring it back to your home macrocosm only when you're ready to depart the Dao Realm."

"Oh? Why is that?" Wu Yuan asked, taken aback.

Big Devil smiled. "Master, are you capable of operating the Black Devil Blood Hollow at present?"

Wu Yuan shook his head.

He had already attempted it, but only managed to move it slightly, like an ordinary person trying to shake a mountain.

"The Black Devil Blood Hollow is an extremely unique spatial Dao Instrument, its interior akin to a miniature expanse of heaven and earth," Big Devil explained. "Maintaining the operation of this miniature heaven and earth requires vast amounts of spiritual qi. Without replenishment from the external world, the numerous worlds within the Blood Hollow would gradually wither, even to the point of destruction, reverting to their primordial state.

Currently, the Black Devil Blood Hollow has integrated with the entire Snowlight Mist Realm, absorbing external spiritual qi to maintain its internal operations, functioning as the core of an immense array.

Once the Black Devil Blood Hollow is migrated, it will not be able to absorb spiritual qi as easily, and you, Master, would need to provide the spiritual qi yourself."

Big Devil shook his head and continued, "As Master is only a High Immortal now, you couldn't possibly provide enough. Master would need to reach the Sovereign level to sustain it.

Alternatively, you could find a vast expanse of space, establish an enormous array, and integrate it with the Black Devil Blood Hollow to fuel its operations, only retrieving it when needed.

Otherwise, in just a few hundred thousand years, with the countless lifeforms within the Blood Hollow's many worlds consuming resources frantically, those worlds will eventually collapse one after another. By then, restoring it would take an immensely long time," Big Devil concluded gravely.

Wu Yuan nodded in understanding. The more powerful and extraordinary the treasure, the more difficult it was to maintain its operation.

As its master, Wu Yuan also knew that the core abilities of the Black Devil Blood Hollow were twofold: first, defense. It was as stable as the vast heaven and earth, impervious to the full-force attack of a Sovereign. Hiding within was the best protection.

Second, offense. The vast internal space contained boundless power; when unleashed, even an ordinary Astral Monarch would perish instantly upon contact.

Of course, truly unleashing the might of the Black Devil Blood Hollow was an extremely challenging feat.

Even with my Apotheosis root, I'd need to become an Astral Monarch at least, plus attain Sovereign-level Dao comprehension, to have even a glimmer of hope. Wu Yuan mused silently.

That was a matter for the distant future. Wu Yuan knew he was currently far from that level.

"Rest assured, Master," Big Devil smiled. "When you leave, I'll have the eight devil marshalls dispatch their mana bodies and ether bodies to accompany you, providing constant protection. With them by your side, you'll be safe from anything short of a Sovereign.

However, the various factions in the Dao Realm are unaware that the eight devil marshalls still live. So, unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to reveal their existence," Big Devil advised solemnly.

"I understand," Wu Yuan nodded. "In the future, the eight devil marshalls will accompany my true self, while my mana body ventures forth independently."

With the protection of the eight devil marshalls, his qi refiner self would be significantly safer.

…

Within the Black Devil Blood Hollow was a special space spanning a million li called the Dao Comprehension Realm.

The entire world was enveloped within a powerful array called the Nine Mundane Heart Refining Array. In the center of the world stood an enormous jade platform.

As expected of a meditation space Sovereign Black Devil prepared for himself. Wu Yuan appeared in the sky.

The jade platform below was pristine and smooth. At first glance, it resembled a small, mirror-like lake, emanating a vast and majestic aura.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan took a step forward, landing on the jade platform. He sat down in lotus position, immediately feeling his spirit become incredibly clear.

Even the speed at which he could deduce the profundities of the Great Dao seemed to increase.

This Dao Comprehension Realm alone is invaluable. Wu Yuan marveled silently.

The entire Black Devil Blood Hollow was a stronghold meticulously prepared by Sovereign Black Devil, with precious resources for all aspects of cultivation.

Now, it belonged to Wu Yuan.

The Ancestral Pagoda... I still can't fathom it. That's a matter for the future. Wu Yuan shook his head slightly. All I can do now is to strengthen myself as much as possible.

It will be several hundred years before the other candidates complete their trials.

My next spacetime mission has already been delayed for over a thousand years, so there's no rush now. Wu Yuan thought to himself. Once I leave the Black Devil Blood Hollow, news will likely spread, and many Sovereigns of the Dao Realm will take an interest in me.

Although I have the eight devil marshalls, they are all external help. The stronger I become, the better equipped I'll be to face various dangers. Wu Yuan closed his eyes, his mind filled with a multitude of profound teachings.

‘Genesis Law Sacrifice’, part three. I've reached the fifth-level True Intent stage of Spacetime, so I should be able to cultivate it successfully. Wu Yuan calmed his mind and began to cultivate silently.