“Understood,” Wu Yuan responded respectfully.
War with the Immortal Court? If given a choice, Wu Yuan naturally didn’t want to provoke such a force.
But there were trade-offs for everything. If he wished to become a disciple of an Eldritch Sovereign, could he afford to be hesitant? The path of immortality was a fight for opportunities.
“Your third advantage is the heavenly endowed eldritch tattoos,” the man in beast hide said softly. “Heavenly endowed eldritch tattoos are not uncommon, but ninety-nine percent are bestowed by Great Eldritches. You were personally bestowed your tattoos by an Eldritch Progenitor.”
Wu Yuan couldn’t help but nod.
He recalled the scene from years ago, that incredible existence standing in the endless void—Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.
“Upgrading an immortal root to the first degree isn’t difficult. But an innate first-degree immortal root is a legendary feat, even throughout the entire macrocosm,” the beast-attired man said indifferently.
“In the Cang Feng Eldritch World, only three individuals with innate first-degree eldritch roots have emerged in the past ten billion years.”
“On average, one appears every few billion years.”
Wu Yuan was stunned.
In the entire eldritch world, it took billions of years for one to be born?
“So, receiving eldritch tattoos directly from the Eldritch Progenitors is incredibly rare. It signifies that the Eldritch Progenitor favors you, improving your providence.
“With strong providence, your cultivation will be smooth sailing. Your chances of encountering opportunities and treasures will increase and the probability of death will decrease. This is providence, intertwined with the inscrutable Destiny Dao,” said the man in beast hide.
“The bestowed tattoos tether you to the Eldritch Progenitor in mysterious ways, something that even countless Astral Lords and Astral Monarchs can only dream of.”
Wu Yuan was dumbfounded.
He never imagined that heavenly endowed eldritch tattoos could have such effects.
Providence was invisible and intangible, yet extremely important.
As for being directly tethered to the Eldritch Progenitor? Wu Yuan was skeptical.
Throughout endless ages, there must have been others with heavenly endowed eldritch tattoos. There was no way he was the only one.
“Inheritance memories exist in many forms. The inheritance memories contained within heavenly endowed eldritch tattoos are top-tier, filled with numerous teachings. There should be no shortage of grand ether arts,” the man in beast hide said.
“Yes,” Wu Yuan nodded earnestly.
“For ordinary forces, acquiring even one grand ether art is a challenge, but you can choose from a multitude of grand ether arts,” the man in beast hide gazed at Wu Yuan.
“Until you create your own ether art, they are more than enough for your usage.”
Wu Yuan subconsciously rubbed his head.
He had never thought about these things, but upon reflection, the inheritance memories of heavenly endowed eldritch tattoos were indeed precious.
Aside from the teachings, it also included hundreds of grand ether arts, and countless advanced and basic ether arts.
The ether arts in the Dragon Star Immortal Sect’s library didn’t even make up a hundredth of what he had received from the inheritance.
This was why Wu Yuan’s body refiner self had continued to remain in the Middle Land. With ample teachings for his body refiner self, the desire to join a powerful faction wasn’t strong.
“Of course, talent and providence aside, it’s your own strength that matters most,” the man in beast hide said, staring at Wu Yuan. “Even mighty Eldritch Progenitors can fall; nothing is eternal.”
“Wu Yuan. Today, I, Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi, offer to take you as my nominal disciple. Will you accept?”
“When you overcome your Tribulations and become an Archeldritch, you may be promoted to direct disciple,” the man in beast hide declared.
Archeldritch? Kua Chi? Was that the Eldritch Sovereign’s name?
Wu Yuan immediately knelt and kowtowed, “Master, Disciple Wu Yuan pays his respects.”
“Good! From today, you are my 1321st disciple,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi smiled, then sighed. “And the 114th still alive.”
Wu Yuan listened intently.
He knew that he was a nominal disciple. But in reality, he was akin to a direct disciple.
Many Astral Lords and Astral Monarchs in the Cang Feng Eldritch World might be nominal disciples under an Eldritch Sovereign, but it was only in name.
“There aren’t many rules for those under my tutelage. The rules of the eldritch world and the Eldritch Court are the same as my own,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said. “Just remember two things.”
“First, time waits for no one. Do not waste it.”
“Second, the Immortal Court must be eradicated if the Eldritch Court is to survive. Make it your life’s mission to obliterate the Immortal Court,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi declared.
Wu Yuan respectfully replied, “I will remember your words.”
Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi smiled. He didn’t truly expect Wu Yuan to remember everything right now, but over the many years to come, he believed Wu Yuan would naturally come to fully recognize the greatness of the Eldritch Court, and the eldritch!
“Of your hundred-plus senior brothers and sisters still alive, 101 are Astral Monarchs,” the man in beast hide said. “Ten are Astral Lords.”
Wu Yuan marveled.
He was indeed an Eldritch Sovereign, every disciple taught by him was so formidable, the vast majority being Astral Monarchs.
No! Including himself, there were 114 alive, but the combined count of Astral Lords and Astral Monarchs was only 111.
“You possess inheritance memories, so there’s no need for me to grant you any additional ether arts,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said.
“In the future, you will need to create your own ether arts. So, before you step into the Universe Architect phase and become High Eldritch, I will grant you sixty Dao Temple points,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said.
“Our Eldritch Court has its own Dao Temple, similar to the Taiyuan Divine Court.”
“How you use the points is up to you. However, each time you accept an inheritance, there must be a gap of at least a hundred years.” [1]
“Of course, if you are capable enough to earn points through your own efforts, use them as you wish. As your teacher, I won’t interfere.”
Wu Yuan felt his heart pounding with excitement.
What a generous offer, truly befitting the status of an Eldritch Sovereign. Just a word from him and Wu Yuan was granted sixty points.
The Eldritch Court was an even mightier force than the Taiyuan Divine Court. The Dao Temple of the Eldritch Court would surely be just as impressive.
“Second, as long as you break through a mana cultivation phase, you will be granted divine crystal elixir,” said Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi.
“Divine crystal elixir is the essence of divine crystal. It will help you with phase breakthroughs, allowing you to advance swiftly without any hindrance.”
“For someone like you, once you step into the Shambhala phase, ascending from the first-stage Shambhala phase to the ninth-stage Shambhala phase should only take a year,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said nonchalantly.
A year? From the first-stage Shambhala phase to the ninth-stage Shambhala phase? Wu Yuan nearly forgot how to breathe.
Wu Yuan knew that ordinary Shambhala cultivators, even with an abundant supply of ethercrystal, typically needed two or three hundred years of accumulation.
If they relied solely on absorbing spiritual qi, it would usually take two or three thousand years!
But by becoming a disciple of an Eldritch Sovereign, he could reach the ninth-stage Shambhala phase in just a year, saving him a great deal of time.
All the extra time could be spent on Dao comprehension.
The Dao was the root.
“Third, before your Celestial Body Dao reaches the Dao Field stage, I will have one of your senior brothers guide you in your cultivation once a year,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi’s gaze shifted into the distance. “They’re here.”
Swish! Swish! Two figures descended from the sky, the white-robed and black-robed youths who had previously left. They bowed respectfully. “Master.”
“This is your junior brother, Wu Yuan,” said Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi.
“Junior Brother Wu Yuan,” the white-robed youth cupped his hands, smiling warmly. “My name is Jiang Huan, I’m a few years your senior.”
“Junior Brother Wu Yuan,” the black-robed youth beside him cupped his hands too. “My name is Chang Hong.”
“Senior Brother Jiang Huan, Senior Brother Chang Hong,” Wu Yuan bowed respectfully.
He vaguely felt that the white-robed youth was more friendly. As for the black-robed youth, his attitude seemed somewhat perfunctory.
“You are the only three disciples of mine who have yet to complete the Immortal Tribulations,” the Eldritch Sovereign said, his gaze sweeping over the trio.
The three disciples stood respectfully before the Eldritch Sovereign.
“Wu Yuan, your Senior Brother Jiang Huan has cultivated for over six hundred thousand years, completed eight Immortal Tribulations, and has fully comprehended the Celestial Body Dao,” said the Eldritch Sovereign.
“From now on, he will guide you in comprehending the Celestial Body Dao.”
“Fully comprehended the Celestial Body Dao?” Wu Yuan was stunned.
Completing eight Tribulations? That didn’t surprise him. Astral Monarch Hou Qu had mentioned that disciples of the Eldritch Sovereign often overcame nine tribulations when they reached the Universe Architect phase (High Eldritch).
However, fully comprehending the Celestial Body Dao? That was terrifying!
In terms of power, this Senior Brother Jiang Huan is likely even more formidable than Sword Immortal Dong Yang. Wu Yuan thought to himself.
Once someone fully comprehended the Celestial Body Dao and overcame the Immortal Tribulations, they could quickly become an Astral Monarch.
All Astral Monarchs fully comprehended an Intermediate Law.
“Wu Yuan, your Senior Brother Chang Hong has cultivated for over six thousand years and has comprehended an Intermediate Law to the first-level Dao Field stage,” the Eldritch Sovereign said softly.
“Currently, at the Earth Immortal/Earth Eldritch level of the Origin Eldritch Field, he is the absolute number one.”
“Across the eight hundred eldritch divine nations, your Senior Brother Chang Hong should be the top Earth Immortal/Earth Eldritch in terms of power.”
Wu Yuan held his breath as he listened.
Deducing an Intermediate Law to the first-level Dao Field stage was equivalent to fully comprehending a Lesser Law. This meant that he had the potential to become an Archimmortal.
Yet, this Senior Brother Chang Hong had only cultivated for over six thousand years and was still just an Earth Eldritch.
Given several hundred thousand more years, there was a good chance that he would reach the same heights as Senior Brother Jiang Huan.
Truly, the disciples of the Eldritch Sovereign were all monstrous prodigies!
But Wu Yuan vaguely understood that these two senior brothers were prodigies that the Cang Feng Eldritch World would hardly see once in a million years.
At least, they far outshone himself and Zhuo Haiyue.
“My expectations for the three of you are the same,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi spoke softly. “Overcome the Immortal Tribulations, step into the True Eldritch phase, and acquire the title of Astral Monarch.”
“Ultimately, strive for the Mystic Eldritch phase.”
“As of now, no one under my tutelage has reached the Mystic Eldritch phase. Your Ninth Senior Brother is the closest.” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi declared.
Ninth Senior Brother? Wu Yuan didn’t understand, but he saw a glimmer of admiration in the eyes of Senior Brother Jiang Huan and Senior Brother Chang Hong.
Clearly, this Ninth Senior Brother he had yet to meet was the strongest disciple under Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi.
“A True Eldritch is an Astral Monarch? A Mystic Eldritch is an Eldritch Sovereign?” Wu Yuan noted this down mentally; it was something he hadn’t known before.
“Jiang Huan,” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi called.
“Master.” The white-robed youth stepped forward.
“You are the oldest among the three. To teach others is also to teach yourself. Instruct your junior brother well. When the time is right, complete your Ninth Immortal Tribulation.” Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi said, “Now, lead your junior brothers back to the Archeldritch World.”
“As for the rest, you know what to do.”
“Rest assured, Master.” The white-robed youth replied respectfully, “I will not disappoint you.”
“Junior Brothers, let’s go.” The white-robed youth smiled, soaring out of the hall.
Chang Hong and Wu Yuan hurried to follow.
Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi watched his three disciples depart.
Wu Yuan? He shook his head slightly. Truly mysterious. With my abilities, I can faintly glimpse into higher dimensions of spacetime. An ordinary High Eldritch cannot hide his past from me.
But I can’t trace Wu Yuan’s origins? Is there a great power obstructing his past? Who could it be?
Is it the Eldritch Progenitor? The Eldritch Sovereign pondered, baffled.
1. receive inheritance = undergo comprehension simulation of a Dao ☜
