Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 381: Thirty Trillion Catties of Ethercrystal

"Lu Zhu, you all may leave," Wu Yuan dismissed.

"Yes." Lu Zhu respectfully complied, leading the numerous Golden Core cultivators away. They understood that Wu Yuan had an important guest to attend to.

"Was that Her Highness Haiyue? The first princessling of the Zhuo Family? Her aura is truly extraordinary," one of them murmured once they had withdrawn to a safe distance.

"Exactly! Even the Amethyst Cradle hereditary disciples show utmost respect when they meet Her Highness Haiyue. I wonder who she’ll choose as her Dao companion in the future? She's like a real fairy."

"The Heir addressed her as 'Haiyue'. That's truly impressive," the Golden Core cultivators whispered excitedly amongst themselves.

Zhuo Haiyue was well-known amongst the disciples of the large sects across the Immortal Continent.

Born into a prince-rank family and blessed with natural talent, she was a figure of high esteem.

"Enough chatter. Remember, no one must know about Her Highness Haiyue's visit," Lu Zhu reprimanded quietly, "The Heir is currently acknowledged as the top talent of the sect, and he is targeted by many powers."

"As his attendants, we must act with caution," Lu Zhu added.

"Understood," the Golden Core subordinates echoed.

In the past few years, their spirits were dampened due to Wu Yuan’s continuous refusal of challenges. As his followers, they couldn't help feeling inferior when they met the followers of other hereditary disciples.

However, these past few days, their morale had improved significantly.

...

"Haiyue, I apologize on their behalf," Wu Yuan said with a slight smile.

"It's no matter," Zhuo Haiyue shook her head, "I'm used to the looks and the whispers behind my back whenever I travel across the Immortal Continent, it's all normal. I never bother with the gossip. There’s no point in trying to control it."

"It's fine as long as they don’t do it in front of me," Zhuo Haiyue added with a smile, "I have killed many who criticized me to my face."

She stated it nonchalantly.

Wu Yuan nodded slightly, understanding that this was simply Zhuo Haiyue’s decisive nature.

"Let's proceed to the hall," Wu Yuan said.

"Sure, I'm keen to see what kind of voidrealm mansion the Dragon Star Immortal Sect has prepared for its hereditary disciples," Zhuo Haiyue chuckled.

They entered the main hall together, its opulence evident.

A table laden with delectable gourmet dishes was already prepared.

"Oh?" Zhuo Haiyue's eyes sparkled.

"Haha, I remember you're quite the foodie. The last time we gathered in Zhuo Star City, I noticed you seemed to have a preference for meat. So, I took the liberty of having some meat dishes prepared. I hope you enjoy them," Wu Yuan laughed.

"I'm quite pleased," Zhuo Haiyue said, her smile radiant.

She didn't have many hobbies in life, but eating good food was certainly the top one. It was closely related to her unique past experiences.

They both took their seats.

"I saw that your status was set to special recently. Were you in seclusion, or did you visit the Dao Temple?" Zhuo Haiyue asked, leisurely enjoying her meal.

"The Dao Temple," Wu Yuan admitted, with no attempt to conceal the truth.

Such an opportunity was available to anyone who managed to reach a certain level of the Seven Towers World. There was no need to keep it a secret.

"Mm, the Dao Temple is indeed a treasure trove of opportunities. You must have reaped a good harvest," Zhuo Haiyue smiled.

"But I heard that you were surprisingly ruthless. You did not challenge the Seven Towers World for the past eight years and even turned down challenges from other hereditary disciples in the Dragon Star Immortal Sect, staying silent the whole time.”

"Your sudden rise was startling, to say the least," Zhuo Haiyue laughed. "Even I was taken aback when I heard the news."

Wu Yuan laughed, "Isn't this exactly what you advised me to do? To make a name for myself?"

"You've made quite the impression. Your sudden rise has probably left the higher-ups in the Dragon Star Immortal Sect dumbfounded," Zhuo Haiyue shook her head.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but laugh.

Thinking about it, this was indeed a possibility. No one in the sect had ever cleared seventeen levels at once in the past million years, especially at such a young age.

Furthermore, there had been much controversy surrounding the challenger.

Wu Yuan didn’t let the criticism affect his actions, but that didn't mean he didn't care at all. These were two separate matters!

Having a steadfast Dao Heart didn't mean swallowing all his anger and resentment.

Whether they laugh at or scorn me, whether I feel joy or anger, none of these external emotions will affect my actions. Wu Yuan thought to himself.

This was true freedom.

"However, I heard you challenged those fourteen hereditary disciples, defeating them all. That's quite a slap in their faces, stepping on them to elevate yourself," Zhuo Haiyue shook her head and laughed, "There was really no need for that."

"If they make me uncomfortable, why should I go out of my way to make them comfortable?" Wu Yuan chuckled.

Zhuo Haiyue was left speechless.

Why did Wu Yuan challenge those fourteen hereditary disciples? Apart from further enhancing his reputation, he also wanted to clear his mind.

Repay kindness with kindness, and take revenge for grudges too!

An eye for an eye was Wu Yuan's creed.

"The voidrealm only tests one’s understanding of the Dao and their soul. You can crush them easily there," Zhuo Haiyue’s lips curled up in a smile, "As for the Dragon Star Tournament? I'm afraid your cultivation hasn't caught up yet."

"From what I know, several of the Golden Core hereditary disciples from the Dragon Star Immortal Sect have third-degree immortal roots, while the rest have fourth-degree immortal roots."

"Do you think you can win?" Zhuo Haiyue's eyes twinkled as she looked at Wu Yuan.

"In eight years, I've grown this much. In another five years, who knows what level I'll reach?" Wu Yuan said calmly, "Even if I lose, it's no big deal. I'll just win the next round."

"Haha." Zhuo Haiyue laughed, "Li Xia, what I admire most about you is your composure and courage."

"Actually, the reason behind my visit here is to play the middleman," Zhuo Haiyue said.

"Middleman?" Wu Yuan was taken aback.

"As you know, I'm part of the Redmoon Immortal Army, but I am also a member of the Moonsilver World," Zhuo Haiyue revealed.

"Your story has spread far and wide, reaching the top echelons of the immortal continent. Many factions have taken notice, including the high-ranking members of Moonsilver World, hence they wish to extend a special recruitment invitation to you."

"They are aware of our relationship, so they want me to act as the intermediary," Zhuo Haiyue chuckled.

"Oh?" Wu Yuan casually nodded.

Ever since he became a hereditary disciple, he had access to previously restricted information through the Dragon Star Immortal Sect. Naturally, he checked out Zhuo Haiyue's profile.

She was the number one genius of the Moonsilver World!

Regarded as the top genius of the current generation on the immortal continent, Zhuo Haiyue was rumored to have cultivated for over a hundred years and cleared level sixty of the two-star tower.

At the same time, Wu Yuan understood the implications of the special recruitment invitation from the Moonsilver World.

"So, you truly plan to play the middleman?" Wu Yuan asked with a smile.

"There’s no need," Zhuo Haiyue shook her head.

"The Dragon Star Immortal Sect has already paid the price of three hundred divine crystals to decline the special recruitment invitation from Moonsilver World. Unless summoned by the divine court headquarters, you’ll continue to cultivate quietly within the Dragon Star Immortal Sect." Zhuo Haiyue explained the situation.

"Three hundred divine crystals?" Wu Yuan wasn’t too sure what the value of a divine crystal was.

"A divine crystal is a precious treasure used by immortals, with a wide variety of applications. One divine crystal is equivalent to one cubic meter of divine crystal, estimated to be worth about a hundred billion catties of ethercrystal," Zhuo Haiyue glanced at Wu Yuan. "Three hundred divine crystals is equivalent to thirty trillion catties of ethercrystal!"

"Moreover, converting divine crystal into ethercrystal isn't difficult, but converting ethercrystal into divine crystal? Very difficult!"

"For the large sects on the immortal continent, divine crystals are considered strategic resources," Zhuo Haiyue shook her head wistfully.

Wu Yuan's eyes widened in shock. He felt as though someone had just slammed a heavy hammer into his chest.

Thirty trillion catties of ethercrystal?

Good heavens!

"You find it unbelievable? I thought the same when I first heard it. Such a massive sum of wealth is enough to make most High Immortals green with envy," Zhuo Haiyue sighed.

"I’m actually worth that much?" Wu Yuan shook his head.

How frightening. Such titanic wealth could be used to purchase countless treasures! Even for the enormous Dragon Star Immortal Sect, this shouldn’t be an amount that could be overlooked.

According to Wu Yuan's knowledge, late-stage Amethyst Cradle cultivators had a net worth of around a few million catties of ethercrystal.

Void Refiner Eminences, on the other hand, could possess wealth in the billions of catties of ethercrystal.

Thirty trillion? This was an absolutely mind-boggling amount that even a Divided Soul Earth Immortal would go crazy for. No wonder Zhuo Haiyue said she was surprised.

"Li Xia, circumstances have changed. You are now a genius only found once in hundreds of thousands of years in the entire immortal continent. Broaden your perspective," Zhuo Haiyue chuckled.

"You are indeed not worth this many divine crystals right now, but the Dragon Star Immortal Sect is betting on your future."

"They believe the benefits you will bring to the sect in the future far outweigh three hundred divine crystals," Zhuo Haiyue laughed, "There's also a possibility that Sword Immortal Dong Yang sees that your value exceeds this amount."

"After all, three hundred divine crystals are difficult for an ordinary High Immortal to produce at once, but for Sword Immortal Dong Yang, it's nothing," said Zhuo Haiyue, "He has accumulated countless treasures in the past million years alone."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly.

High Immortals, powerful and long-lived, naturally accumulated astonishing wealth and treasures. Their net worth could be hundreds, if not thousands of times greater than an Earth Immortal's.

Wu Yuan calmed himself down. Although the sect had paid such a high price for him, it didn't mean they would give him that many treasures. After all, he was merely at the Golden Core phase.

"However, the sect has yet to speak to me about this, and Sword Immortal Dong Yang shows no signs of taking me as his disciple," Wu Yuan shook his head.

He thought back to the mysterious senior who had guided him periodically.

In reality, Wu Yuan held immense admiration for the old man’s accomplishments in the Celestial Body Dao. If he was willing to be Wu Yuan’s master, Wu Yuan would gladly take it.

It was a pity that the mysterious senior only provided guidance and never discussed the subject of accepting disciples.

"No signs yet?" Zhuo Haiyue was taken aback as well, frowning, "That shouldn't be the case.”

“Given the enormous price the Dragon Star Immortal Sect has paid, logically speaking, they shouldn't ignore you. They should be providing you with their finest resources and instructors to nurture you."

"But if Sword Immortal Dong Yang doesn't take you as his disciple, relying on those Third or Fourth-Tribulation High Immortals in the Dragon Star Immortal Sect would only delay your growth." Zhuo Haiyue shook her head.

"Third-Tribulation High Immortals? Is the strength of High Immortals divided by the number of tribulations they have overcome?" Wu Yuan asked curiously.

"Yes," Zhuo Haiyue nodded, "whether it's the Tribulation phase or Universe Architect phase, they're also divided into nine stages."

"To progress in cultivation, besides accumulating mana, one also has to overcome the Immortal Tribulations. Those who overcome it, live. Those who don't, die."

"Only after surviving a tribulation can one advance a cultivation level."

"Moreover, High Immortals have reached the endpoint of beings that have yet to transcend lifespans. Thus, there are subtle limits imposed on them by heaven and earth. Every 180,000 years at most, they must face a Tribulation."

"Therefore, the so-called million-year lifespan does not necessarily mean a High Immortal lives for a million years." Zhuo Haiyue chuckled.

"One must survive at least five Immortal Tribulations to extend their lifespan to that limit. One must survive their seventh Immortal Tribulation to become an Archimmortal."

"Therefore, a Sixth-Tribulation High Immortal already stands at the pinnacle of the vast immortal continent."