“Leave the Greenridge Macrocosm?” Wu Yuan couldn’t help but exclaim in shock. “Master, why not wait until after you’ve undergone your Tribulation?”
In Wu Yuan’s mind, considering Master Dong Yang’s immense strength, it shouldn’t be too difficult for him to complete his Ninth Immortal Tribulation. By then, he might even ascend to the rank of Astral Monarch, with his power increasing exponentially.
Sword Immortal Dong Yang smiled softly. “After undergoing my Tribulation, it will be much harder for me to fully comprehend the Law of Life. You understand this principle, don’t you?”
“If I were to cultivate methodically,” Dong Yang continued, “I wouldn’t be able to fully comprehend the Life Dao before my million-year lifespan limit. Once I undergo the Tribulation, my hope of breaking through becomes even more remote.”
Wu Yuan sighed inwardly. For a High Immortal, reaching the seventh-level Dao Field stage of the Life Dao was already an extraordinary achievement, seemingly not far from the ninth-level Dao Field stage. But who could predict how long it would take to break through even one more level? Let alone the final step?
Throughout the vast macrocosm, among the numerous Astral Monarchs, every single one was once a peerless genius in their youth, many on par with Jiang Huan. Yet, how many could break through their shackles to become a Sovereign?
“This is your Master’s final gambit,” Dong Yang said with a calm smile. “If I succeed, I’ll have hope of fully comprehending the Life Dao. If I fail, I might perish. I’ve roamed the world for nearly a million years, rising from obscurity step by step, living an unfettered life and even defying my master’s orders. But I’ve always focused on my own path, with no regrets.
Previously, my only worries were you and the sect. Now, I no longer need to worry about you, so only the sect remains.”
Dong Yang’s tone grew more somber. “I don’t expect you to feel the same way about the sect as I do, but if the sect ever faces a great calamity, I hope you’ll lend a hand if you can.”
“Yes, Disciple will keep this in mind,” Wu Yuan nodded heavily, feeling the weight of his master’s words. From Dong Yang’s tone, it seemed like he was offering his ‘final words.’
Gratitude welled up in Wu Yuan’s heart. Without Master Dong Yang’s guidance, he wouldn’t have grown so rapidly.
“Years ago, I promised to give you an important treasure. It’s time I fulfilled that promise,” Dong Yang said, flipping his palm to reveal a black ruler about an inch tall, its surface covered in countless cracks and patterns.
It appeared ordinary at first glance, but a subtle probe revealed the dense fluctuations of Space emanating from it, causing the surrounding space to tremble slightly.
“This is the Void Rift Ruler, the most precious treasure I’ve acquired during my years of solitary exploration. As long as you have some understanding of the fluctuations of Space, you can activate a basic level of its power. It’s a top life-saving treasure, a special type of celestial equipment.
The Void Divine Talisman I gave you previously is, in a sense, a weakened, one-time-use Void Rift Ruler.
In the future, you can slowly familiarize yourself with it,” Dong Yang instructed. “Though it has no formal equipment rating, in terms of value, it could be considered among the finest celestial equipment.
Astral Monarchs might not care for it, but its special abilities will certainly tempt countless Archimmortals and Astral Lords. So don’t reveal it carelessly.”
Among the finest celestial equipment? The Void Divine Talisman was just a rudimentary, one-time-use Void Rift Ruler? As far as Wu Yuan knew, a single Void Divine Talisman was worth at least hundreds of divine crystals—a life-saving item for many Earth Immortals and Earth Eldritch.
Wu Yuan observed the Void Rift Ruler. It was probably no less valuable than the Myriad Woods Dao Treasure, perhaps even more precious.
“Master, if this treasure is so valuable, don’t you need it?” Wu Yuan asked, his concern genuine. “If you need it, you shouldn’t give it to your disciple.”
Dong Yang chuckled softly. “It was somewhat useful to me before, but your grandmaster has just gifted me other treasures, so I no longer need the Void Rift Ruler.”
Suddenly, Dong Yang pointed to a vast, undulating courtyard in the distance. “We’ve arrived at the Immortal Belvedere.”
“Disciple, this is all your master can do for you now. The path ahead is yours to walk alone.” Dong Yang smiled, his eyes filled with affection and a touch of reluctance.
Childless throughout his life, Dong Yang regarded Wu Yuan as both a disciple and a son. Otherwise, why would he treat him with such care and attention?
“Master, take care,” Wu Yuan’s voice quivered as he knelt, his eyes reddening slightly.
Dong Yang’s laughter rang out, light and carefree. “Haha, foolish child, a great man should not act like a little boy. Work hard. In due time, when both us master and disciple become Sword Sovereigns, now that would make for a legendary tale across the entire macrocosm.”
With that, Sword Immortal Dong Yang took a step forward and drifted away, his figure silently disappearing from Wu Yuan’s sight.
“Farewell, Master,” Wu Yuan whispered, remaining kneeling as his master’s presence faded.
…
After a long while, Wu Yuan finally stood up, his heart now calm.
Master has gone to seek his own path. And I, too, must continue walking mine.
Whoosh! Wu Yuan flew towards the massive courtyard nestled among the distant mountains.
Master and disciple had parted ways, not knowing when they would meet again.
So this is the Immortal Belvedere? As Wu Yuan arrived before the enormous courtyard, stretching for hundreds of li, he took in the breathtaking scenery.
The entire Bei You Mountain range was saturated with incredibly dense spiritual energy.
The trees surrounding the courtyard, even the random weeds and saplings, would be considered spiritual plants and celestial flora in the outside world.
“Haha, you must be Junior Nephew Ming Jian,” a gentle voice rang out from the courtyard, followed by a flash of light.
A portly, bejeweled middle-aged man appeared at the courtyard entrance, his small eyes twinkling with warmth and a beaming smile on his face.
At first glance, he resembled a cunning merchant from the mortal world, yet there was something undeniably welcoming about him.
“Senior, who might you be?” Wu Yuan bowed respectfully, unsure of the man’s identity.
The plump middle-aged man smiled kindly. “I am Astral Monarch Gu Lai, a disciple of the Immortal Sovereign. Since you’re Junior Brother Dong Yang’s disciple, you can call me Senior Uncle Gu Lai.
I don’t like roaming the world outside and mostly remain in the Bei You Realm, so the Immortal Sovereign ordered me to manage the Immortal Belvedere.”
“Ming Jian pays his respects to Senior Uncle,” Wu Yuan said with deep respect.
As expected of an Immortal Sovereign, even a random disciple was an Astral Monarch. But from another perspective, one probably wouldn’t catch an Immortal Sovereign’s eye without reaching the level of Astral Monarch.
“Mm, follow me inside,” Astral Monarch Gu Lai said as an invisible force enveloped Wu Yuan, guiding him into the vast courtyard.
Hmm? The moment they stepped inside, Wu Yuan’s pupils constricted slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
“You’ve sensed it?” Astral Monarch Gu Lai smiled knowingly. “The Immortal Sovereign has laid special restrictions within the Immortal Belvedere. No matter how strong you are, how abundant your mana, or how robust your body, as long as you haven’t become an immortal, your power will be limited to the first-stage Golden Core phase. Your vital aura will be similarly suppressed.”
“Likewise, no matter how deep your comprehension of other Daos, unless you’ve fully grasped an Intermediate Law, you won’t be able to manifest it here, even if you’ve fully comprehended a Lesser Law.
Here, you can only perceive and harness the Law of Space,” Astral Monarch Gu Lai explained, his tone even.
Wu Yuan nodded slightly, marveling inwardly.
As expected of an Immortal Sovereign, even the restrictions he laid down had such extraordinary effects!
Within the Immortal Belvedere, Wu Yuan couldn’t detect any other Daos. It was as if the myriad Daos had vanished, leaving only the Law of Space. Surprisingly, his perception of its fluctuations was even sharper here than it was outside.
“As your Senior Uncle, I’ll first guide you through the various areas of the Immortal Belvedere. Follow me,” said Astral Monarch Gu Lai, motioning for Wu Yuan to follow.
Wu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.
The two made their way through the courtyard, following the winding paths for several li until they came upon a series of individual courtyards. There were over a thousand private courtyards in total, each modest in size.
“Any courtyard with a visible barrier is occupied and thus off-limits to you,” Astral Monarch Gu Lai explained as they walked.
“There are others here?” Wu Yuan asked, surprised.
“Of course,” Gu Lai replied with a chuckle. “The Immortal Belvedere is a sacred ground for our Bei You lineage. Those with exceptional talent in the Space Dao are sent here. This place is renowned throughout the macrocosm as the premier sanctuary for comprehending the Law of Space.
Those who make little progress are expelled after a few centuries, while those who advance rapidly may even earn an audience with the Immortal Sovereign.”
Wu Yuan nodded slightly, absorbing the information.
This was the domain of Immortal Sovereign Bei You’s lineage. How many disciples did Immortal Sovereign Bei You have? It seemed that a considerable number of immortal cultivators were sent here.
This also revealed something else—the Bei You lineage was indeed distinct from the rest of the Eternal Sun Immortal World, seemingly existing on the fringes of the immortal world’s core.
It was similar to how the disciples of Eldritch Sovereign Kua Chi trained directly in the Origin Eldritch Fields.
“You can choose a courtyard for yourself later. As for the Fire Divine Gorge Brew, I’ll have it delivered to you as scheduled,” said Astral Monarch Gu Lai.
“Thank you, Senior Uncle,” Wu Yuan replied respectfully, recognizing the need to maintain a proper decorum.
He could tell that Astral Monarch Huo Cang and his master were close, to the point where his master had entrusted him to Huo Cang’s care.
But this Astral Monarch Gu Lai? That wasn’t necessarily the case, so he naturally had to act more respectfully and avoid any discourtesy.