Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 386: Five Years Later (1)

From the teleportation array in the sky city, Wu Yuan swiftly exited Dragon Star, returning to his world residence.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Lu Zhu and the Golden Core followers sensed his return and flew over one after another to pay their respects to Wu Yuan.

Curious, Lu Zhu asked, "Heir, didn't you just depart for the Star Origin Soil not long ago? However, according to the teleportation array's message, it seems you returned from Dragon Star?"

As the steward of the world residence, he was granted a high level of access and could look into many matters. After all, how could he manage the world residence without this level of authority at least?

"I was summoned by my master," Wu Yuan said, a light smile on his face. "Thus, I returned from Dragon Star. In the future, I will be visiting Dragon Star frequently."

"Master? Dragon Star?" Lu Zhu's eyes lit up. "Heir, have you been accepted by an immortal as their disciple?"

Even though he had anticipated this, hearing it confirmed from Wu Yuan himself still stirred his excitement. The other Golden Core followers were overjoyed as well.

Over the years, it seemed as though Wu Yuan hadn't paid much attention to them. However, the higher Wu Yuan climbed in status, the more substantial the indirect benefits they would receive, not to mention the various rewards the sect offered.

"Something like that," Wu Yuan chuckled. "However, I'm still only a nominal disciple."

"Nominal disciple?" Lu Zhu was taken aback.

"Alright, that’s enough questions. I'm going to cultivate," Wu Yuan said, then flew into the hall, leaving behind a puzzled Reverend Lu Zhu and a group of Golden Core followers.

"Reverend, what's going on?" A Golden Core follower couldn't help but ask, "With the Heir's talent, how can he only be a nominal disciple?"

Recently, there had been a flurry of rumors surrounding Wu Yuan.

"Indeed, that shouldn't be the case."

"The Heir is a sword cultivator. Even Ancestor Dong Yang did not take him in as his disciple, shouldn’t he at least be a direct disciple of a different High Immortal?"

Reverend Lu Zhu shook his head, "I'm not sure."

"Alright, everyone is to head back for now." Reverend Lu Zhu instructed.

Just a few days later, the doubts of Reverend Lu Zhu and the Golden Core followers in the world residence were finally resolved.

"A disciple of the founding ancestor?"

"The founding ancestor?"

"Legends say that our Dragon Star Immortal Sect is known as the number one sect of the immortal continent because the founding ancestor is still alive. Having lived for hundreds of millions of years, he’s definitely an Archimmortal."

"No wonder the Heir said that he's just a nominal disciple."

"In terms of status, a nominal disciple of an Archimmortal is still much higher than a direct disciple of a High Immortal. After all, an Archimmortal is an eternal being." Reverend Lu Zhu and the group of Golden Core followers were completely stunned when they received the news.

Immediately after, they were filled with elation, especially Reverend Lu Zhu.

One had to remember that Wu Yuan had no family to rely on. Thus, he was considered a cultivator without any backing. Now that he had become the disciple of an Archimmortal, he would naturally establish his own faction within the sect as he grew stronger in the future.

And who would be his most trusted follower? Lu Zhu would definitely be one of the top candidates.

...

"Disciple of the immortal ancestor?"

"Though he’s only at the Golden Core phase, he has already been accepted as a disciple. It might just be nominal for now, but in the future, once he advances to the Earth Immortal phase, there’s a chance that he’ll become a direct disciple of the ancestor."

"With Li Xia's talent, it's unsurprising." Almost every High Immortal and Earth Immortal in the whole Dragon Star Immortal Sect received the news.

"It's been a million years since the immortal ancestor last took in a disciple."

"With the support of the immortal ancestor, Li Xia is destined to become the new leader of the sect as long as he matures." Even those immortals in the sect who didn't pay much attention to Wu Yuan before were now taking the initiative to learn who he was.

They knew all too well the significance of being a disciple of the immortal ancestor. Moreover, Wu Yuan exhibited astonishing talent.

...

“The founding ancestor of the sect is still alive?"

"Our Dragon Star Immortal Sect still has a living Archimmortal?" All the disciples of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect were in complete uproar upon hearing this news.

In reality, the sect did not deliberately try to hide the fact that the Archimmortal was alive. However, Archimmortals held extremely high positions and rarely diverted their attention to the happenings on the immortal continent.

The occasional bits of relevant news that came out were perhaps already tens of thousands of years old or even older. In that span of time, many generations already went by in the mortal world.

These rumors eventually faded away among the ordinary disciples with the long passage of time, naturally causing many of the weaker immortal cultivators to doubt whether the Archimmortal was still alive.

But this time, because of Wu Yuan, that ancient Archimmortal of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect was once again brought to the attention of the world.

...

"Sword Immortal Dong Yang didn't take him as a disciple?"

"It was the Archimmortal who took him in instead? As a nominal disciple?" Zhuo Haiyue was surprised when she heard this news.

"That’s fine as well. That old dragon is not ordinary." Zhuo Haiyue was well aware of his strength. He was definitely one of the top existences on the immortal continent.

...

"The old True Dragon took in a disciple?"

"His name is Li Xia? Just a nominal disciple? But his talent is not bad." The news of the Archimmortal taking in a disciple spread like wildfire.

The intelligence departments of the top-tier factions didn't dare hide this information, quickly transmitting the news to their higher-ups.

On the Redmoon Immortal Continent, countless Archimmortals had been born throughout the endless years. Yet, few had ever revealed their true powers.

"The luck of the old True Dragon isn't half bad. He founded a sect, barely manages it, yet a host of formidable youngsters keep popping up from it."

"In the last million years, they first had Dong Yang, and now Li Xia? Both sword cultivators?"

"Li Xia? Just a kid in the Golden Core phase, still wet behind the ears. Who knows when his life will be cut short?" Several ancient beings conversed amongst themselves.

"Dong Yang, now that's a force to be reckoned with."

"Indeed. Anyone who dares to tread the path of Nine Tribulations is truly extraordinary. Dong Yang’s talent didn't shine too brightly in the early days, but he grows more terrifying as time goes by. I suspect he's just as powerful as us now."

"If he successfully completes the Nine Tribulations, well, another Archimmortal who'll shake the immortal nation will be born from our Redmoon Immortal Continent." These ancient beings mainly discussed Dong Yang’s future.

Li Xia? They merely took note of him.

To these ancient beings who had lived for countless eras, what kind of peerless genius had they not seen?

Forget Wu Yuan who only made it through level fifty-seven of the one-star tower, they had even seen monstrous prodigies who managed to clear level seventy or eighty of the one-star tower.

After all, even the Silvermist Immortal Nation was but a small part of the Greenridge Macrocosm. Geniuses? The vast heaven and earth never lacked geniuses.

Only the truly powerful were worth their attention.

...

Because of his induction as a 'nominal disciple of an Archimmortal', another frenzy was stirred within the sect and the entire immortal continent, but Wu Yuan remained indifferent to the commotion.

Inside the meditation chamber of his world residence.

The news sure spread far. The sect actually made it public? Wu Yuan received a flood of messages via both the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm and the Redmoon Immortal Voidrealm.

Most of them were congratulatory messages, such as those from Zhuo Haiyue and some sect disciples such as Kuang Long.

Even some hereditary disciples of large sects that he first met on Southmoon Island sent their congratulations.

Even Gu Sixing sent me a congratulatory message? Did he get my contact information from Zhuo Haiyue? Wu Yuan wondered, shaking his head helplessly.

He harbored no resentment towards Gu Sixing, understanding that his actions during their initial encounter were merely an act. However, they were ultimately strangers. They hadn't even met in the real world.

This is what it means to become an overnight sensation. Wu Yuan sighed.

Even clearing level fifty-seven of the one-star tower hadn't caused this big of a commotion.

One could only imagine the level of influence and intimidation of an Archimmortal.

Unfortunately, it's all a facade. I am not an Archimmortal's disciple. Wu Yuan shook his head slightly. My master is just a High Immortal.

High Immortals and Archimmortals were worlds apart.

However, if the immortal ancestor agreed to it, he must have seen something in me at least. Wu Yuan thought to himself.

Though not a true disciple of an Archimmortal, since he was a disciple of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect, their Archimmortal ancestor was naturally his backing.

Even a mountain backing me might crumble. So what if I am an Archimmortal’s disciple? What matters most is my own strength. Wu Yuan maintained a cool composure.

One could only rely on oneself, not anyone else.

Becoming a disciple only changed one's status, not one's strength. With all external noise blocked out, Wu Yuan calmed his mind and resumed his cultivation.

...

In Mirage Dragon City of the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm, within the Daoist Scripture Tower.

The ‘Extended Life Sword Codex’ is also divided into initial, middle, and final segments. Wu Yuan found this out once he looked up the related information. The initial segment costs one million dragon crystals, the middle segment costs ten million, and the final segment costs fifty million?

In an instant, Wu Yuan determined that this ‘Extended Life Sword Codex’ was probably on the same level as his own Star Ruins Sword Codex.

Both were among the top sword teachings within his sect, incredibly profound and significantly more challenging than most Archimmortal level sword codices.

After a brief moment, Wu Yuan made his decision.

"I'll take the initial segment," Wu Yuan declared.

The initial segment would only cost him a million dragon crystals, an expense he could bear.

Wu Yuan had his own considerations.

I must cultivate the ‘Dark Earth Sword Codex’, so it’s no big issue to purchase both the initial and middle segments. But this ‘Extended Life Sword Codex’ ultimately encompasses the profundity of the Wood Dao. I wonder how strong my affinity for the Wood Dao is? Wu Yuan pondered, apprehensive.

Although he trusted his master's judgment, it was never a bad thing to stay cautious.

If he found that comprehending it was too difficult, Wu Yuan would simply give up, allowing his two true selves to fully focus on the Celestial Body Dao.

In the end, he had the greatest affinity for the Celestial Body Dao. Hence, Wu Yuan had some doubts regarding the ‘Extended Life Sword Codex’, and was only acting on his master's orders.

If I can cultivate it successfully, that would be ideal. But if I fail, the only loss would be a million dragon crystals, an amount I can bear. Wu Yuan thought it through.

"You are redeeming the initial segment of the ‘Extended Life Sword Codex’ for one million dragon crystals. Do you confirm?" a cold voice echoed in Wu Yuan's ear.

"Confirm," Wu Yuan responded.

Time passed.

Wu Yuan continued to sift through teachings within the Daoist Scripture Tower.

"Next, I'll redeem the Soul teaching 'Sword Soul Sourcelight'." Wu Yuan made his choice – a set of soul teachings.

"You are redeeming the initial segment of the 'Sword Soul Sourcelight' for one million dragon crystals. Do you confirm?" The voice echoed once more.

"Confirm."

...

Soon after, within his personal hall, Wu Yuan absorbed the information within the virtual immortal slips, memorizing the initial segments of both the 'Extended Life Sword Codex' and 'Sword Soul Sourcelight' teachings.

Memorizing them was just the beginning. Only by truly cultivating them to the initiate threshold could he justify the dragon crystals spent.

...

Although Master made it sound nice, he didn’t give me any extra ethercrystal or dragon crystals. Wu Yuan felt somewhat helpless.

He didn’t have much ethercrystal or dragon crystals remaining.

That small piece of divine crystal was highly valuable, worth a billion catties of ethercrystal! Yet, Wu Yuan dared not sell it. He needed it to cultivate his essentia and mana.

Moreover, his master had made it clear that it was not to be exchanged for other treasures. Wu Yuan naturally did not dare defy his orders.

I should take it slow for now. At least, until I cultivate to the ninth-stage Golden Core phase, my demand for ethercrystal won't be too high. Wu Yuan thought silently.

What was the most resource-consuming aspect of his qi refiner self? His lifebound flying swords!

With Wu Yuan's immortal root, once he reached the ninth-stage Golden Core phase, he could attempt to upgrade his lifebound flying swords to third-grade spirit weapons.

Wu Yuan had chosen to take the optimal path for his lifebound flying swords. The total cost of the minerals and special materials required was staggering. Even hundreds of millions of catties of ethercrystal might not suffice.

I must train hard. Once I clear level sixty of the one-star tower, not only will the sect reward me, but Master will also grant me a hundred million catties of ethercrystal. Wu Yuan couldn’t wait.