Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 828: Spacetime Dao Master (3)

What exactly is this sword? And how did it end up in my upper dantian lobe? Wu Yuan's mind was filled with questions. Moreover, only my qi refiner self attempted to decipher it; why has it appeared in the upper dantian lobe of my body refiner self as well?

Both of his true selves attempted to exert control over it simultaneously.

Instantly, Wu Yuan discovered that this black sword suspended in the upper dantian lobe was as immovable as the black pagoda. Its aura was equally vast and boundless, majestic and profound.

What exactly happened? Did I forget something? Wu Yuan couldn't make sense of it at all.

But there was no doubt that this sword was incredibly formidable. Even if it wasn't quite on par with the Ancestral Pagoda, it surely held great secrets.

In a flash, Wu Yuan understood his current situation.

“Wu Yuan.” Zi Kong’s voice rang out, having sensed that Wu Yuan had regained consciousness.

"Senior Zi Kong." Wu Yuan bowed slightly.

"Congratulations on successfully obtaining the Samsara Sword. I assume you've already sensed its presence," said Zi Kong with a slight smile, the three-tiered tower still atop his head.

The Samsara Sword? Wu Yuan savored the name of this blade. It did indeed match the aura it emanated.

"Senior, how do I use this Samsara Sword?" Wu Yuan asked.

"The Dao Master once said that ultimate treasures possess their own spirit. When you obtain one, you'll naturally know how to use it when the time comes, and it will naturally exert its power when it's meant to," Zi Kong said nonchalantly.

In truth, Zi Kong had no idea how to use it. After all, before Wu Yuan, no successor had ever gained the Samsara Sword's acknowledgment, and the Dao Master had never shared details about these ultimate treasures with it. How could it possibly know?

Ultimate treasures possess their own spirit? Wu Yuan hesitated.

From what he could sense, this Samsara Sword seemed very similar to the black pagoda.

It appeared to be the projection of some supreme and mighty artifact. After all, the projection of the Samsara Sword had appeared in the upper dantian lobes of both his true selves.

Logically, if it were a normal treasure, it should only have appeared within his qi refiner self, right?

Unfortunately, with so little information, Wu Yuan couldn't figure it out. He could only set the matter aside for now.

"Gaining the acknowledgment of the Samsara Sword also means you've truly become a successor of the Dao Master," Zi Kong said. "Come, leave a mental imprint here."

Whoosh~ Countless motes of light coalesced, forming five floating temples. Each temple was shrouded in clouds, exuding a holy aura.

Though obscured by clouds and mist, shadowy figures could be seen sitting in lotus position within the first four temples. Their features were indistinct.

"This is?" Wu Yuan asked, puzzled.

"This is the Sempiternal Temple," Zi Kong explained solemnly. "The other four temples hold the mental imprints left by the four successors the Dao Master has chosen in this samsara cycle of heaven and earth. This way, should these successors perish in the world outside, they can be revived from the Sempiternal Temple.

This is a chance at resurrection!" Zi Kong continued. "Of these four successors, one is still a Sovereign, while the other three have already become Overlords.

An Overlord is essentially a very special and powerful Sovereign, so even if an Overlord falls, the Dao Master can still resurrect them."

Wu Yuan listened in awe.

Those who violate these rules, no matter how talented, will be personally struck down by the Dao Master," Zi Kong's voice carried a chilling edge.

"This disciple will not forget," Wu Yuan said solemnly.

"There's no need to call yourself a disciple," Zi Kong said. "You are the Dao Master's successor, but not the Dao Master's disciple. A successor inherits the Dao Master's path.

The Dao Master has never taken disciples."

Wu Yuan was struck speechless. What difference was there between a successor and a disciple?

In truth, Wu Yuan understood the distinction between master-disciple relationships on the immortal path versus those of martial artists in the mortal realm.

In the mortal world, the purpose of a martial artist's direct disciple was often to fight on the master's behalf in old age, fending off enemies from grudges formed in youth. But on the immortal path, the purpose of taking on disciples was primarily to pass on one's teachings.

It's the same with bearing children. Wu Yuan mused inwardly. The way that immortals and mortals think is as different as heaven and earth.

Wu Yuan never cared about having offspring, for he sought eternal existence rather than an unbroken bloodline. With eternal existence, what need was there for bloodlines?

"Come, follow me to meet the Dao Master," said Zi Kong. "If you don't reach the supreme level in the future, this may be your only chance to see the Dao Master in your lifetime."

Hum~ Zi Kong's body shimmered, and the tower on its head trembled slightly as an invisible force instantly descended.

Wu Yuan and Zi Kong vanished simultaneously.

...

On the Spacetime Island, high up in the clouds, the three Sovereign Custodians waited patiently in that majestic temple.

"It's been nearly a day."

"How's the situation?" The red-robed demonic Sovereign and the black-armored Sovereign conversed.

"Previously, regardless of success or failure, the results were always out quickly," the red-robed demonic Sovereign said puzzledly. "Yet it’s taking so long this time?"

"It has been quite a while, rather odd," the black-armored Sovereign shook his head.

Only Sovereign Lan Yan remained silent throughout.

Suddenly, a glimmer of surprise flashed through the eyes of Sovereign Lan Yan, the black-armored Sovereign, and the red-robed demonic Sovereign. “Hmm?”

"Success?"

"He actually succeeded?"

"Compared to previous successors, Ming Jian took the longest time by far. He must have reached a very special stage," the red-robed demonic Sovereign said.

"He cleared the four basic trials the fastest, yet took the longest to complete the final trial," the black-armored Sovereign shook his head.

"Let's wait patiently," Sovereign Lan Yan said in a low voice. "Ming Jian should be emerging soon."

The three Sovereign Custodians waited patiently, filled with anticipation.