As the six levels of the Archeldritch trial concluded and the million spectators dispersed, news of the battle spread rapidly throughout the Hou Cheng Tribe.
“He actually defeated Eldritch General Hou Kong?”
“Our Hou Cheng Tribe might produce a world-shaking powerhouse who will dominate all of Huanggu.”
“Hou Feng!” The billions of tribesmen were shocked, excited, and overjoyed.
Every eldritch tribe yearned to produce powerful experts and geniuses.
“Hou Feng, come with me to the Earth Eldritch Hall,” Eldritch General Hou She said as he descended, smiling.
“Your strength surpasses even mine. I’ve crossed blades with Hou Kong before, and I was slightly weaker than him,” Eldritch General Hou She chuckled. “Yet you defeated him. I’m impressed.”
Wu Yuan smiled.
The two swiftly made their way to the Earth Eldritch Hall.
…
“A change of hall?” Wu Yuan was slightly taken aback.
Eldritch General Hou She led the way. This time, they didn’t return to his previous residence, a floating hall in a cluster on the outskirts. Instead, his new residence was within the central area, right next to the dwellings of the Earth Eldritch veteran elders.
Dozens of maidservants and manservants at the Eldritch Soldier phase stood nearby, serving Wu Yuan with utmost respect. They appeared to have undergone rigorous training.
Before Eldritch General Hou She could explain the change, a deep voice rang out. “I was the one who ordered it.”
Following that, a figure in white robes entered the hall.
“Chieftain.” Eldritch General Hou She and Wu Yuan both bowed respectfully, as did the many maidservants and manservants.
It was none other than Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng.
“Hou She, you may leave first. All of you, leave. I’d like to speak with Eldritch General Hou Feng in private,” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng commanded.
“Understood.” Eldritch General Hou She nodded, swiftly leading the many servants out of the hall.
Only Wu Yuan and Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng remained.
“Sit.” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng sat down on a carpet made of beast hide.
Wu Yuan nodded, taking a seat. The carpet was fluffy and well-maintained, very comfortable.
“Hou Feng, your performance today was excellent. Is the Dao you’ve comprehended the Celestial Body Dao?” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng asked, as if casually.
“Celestial Body Dao? What’s that?” Wu Yuan showed a hint of ‘confusion’.
Celestial Body Dao? Given his understanding of this world, those who could comprehend Intermediate Laws seemed extremely rare throughout Huanggu, and even those Eldritch Generals had never heard of them. So, Wu Yuan had to play dumb.
Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “Have you perhaps fused the insights from several Daos into one?”
“Yes.” Wu Yuan nodded.
“How did you comprehend it?” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng asked, seemingly casually. “If you feel comfortable sharing, did you perhaps have some special encounter?”
“There weren’t any special encounters. As for how I comprehended it?” Wu Yuan scratched his head, ‘unsure how to explain it’. “When I was wandering through Great Huang, exploring and cultivating rigorously, I comprehended it without realizing. Later, my progress grew faster and faster.”
“Without realizing?” As Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng listened, the gleam in his eyes glowed even brighter.
Monstrous prodigy! Uncut jade! To comprehend the Celestial Body True Intent in just over a hundred years without realizing it, what kind of talent was this?
Wu Yuan didn’t say more. There was no need to explain anything; all reasons for his strength could be attributed to natural talent. If asked, it was simply that he naturally comprehended it.
Dao comprehension involved understanding the profound principles of the workings of heaven and earth, relying heavily on comprehension aptitude. It was inherently difficult to fathom, and longer cultivation time didn’t necessarily lead to deeper Dao comprehension.
Without sufficient comprehension aptitude, a pig could live for a million years and still just be a pig. Wu Yuan thought to himself.
But outwardly, Wu Yuan seemed somewhat ‘nervous’ as he inquired, “Chieftain, is there something wrong?”
“Wrong? Of course not. On the contrary, it’s wonderful,” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng gave a slight smile. “You needn’t worry. I’ve already reported your situation to the Archeldritch tribe. I expect that in a few days, a High Eldritch will arrive to fetch you.
Having comprehended the Celestial Body Dao, you should, in principle, qualify for direct entry into the Archeldritch Hall.
As for the subsequent Archeldritch trial levels? They might still be conducted, but it doesn’t matter whether you pass them or not. Being able to comprehend the Celestial Body True Intent is enough to prove your monstrous talent.” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng smiled.
Understanding dawned on Wu Yuan.
So, comprehending the Celestial Body Dao would grant one special treatment within the Earth Eldritch lineage.
“Hou Feng, stay here for the next few days. Don’t wander off. If there’s any danger, immediately notify us Earth Eldritches,” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng said.
“Once news of you comprehending Celestial Body True Intent leaks out, the Immortal Court will certainly view you as their greatest enemy. They’ll exhaust every means to assassinate you.
After all, with your talent, if you cultivate methodically, perhaps you could gain the recognition of the Archeldritch Divine Artifacts in the future and become a new Eldritch Deity of this generation.” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng said emotionally, looking at Wu Yuan with great expectations.
“Archeldritch Divine Artifact? Eldritch Deity?” Wu Yuan was startled. “What are those?”
“Haha, I’m not clear on the specifics either. I only heard about them in passing years ago,” Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng laughed. “When you go to the Archeldritch tribe, you’ll naturally understand.”
Soon after, Earth Eldritch Hou Cheng left, leaving Wu Yuan alone.
Eldritch Deity? Archeldritch Divine Artifact? Is there a connection to the Immortal Court’s Creation Divine Artifacts? Wu Yuan pondered quietly.
The eldritch race has ruled this land for millions of years. It appears there are more secrets than I imagined.
However, my plan is indeed the right one. As long as I display talent, I’ll naturally become part of the Huanggu eldritch race’s core and come into contact with many secrets. Wu Yuan thought to himself.
A High Eldritch will come to fetch me?
Wu Yuan calmed his mind, suppressing various distracting thoughts, and began to cultivate silently.
…
In a distant land, over ten billion li from the Hou Cheng Tribe, was an incredibly vast eldritch settlement.
It was expansive and magnificent, with the settlement’s maximum diameter reaching several dozen million li!
In terms of settlement size and the population of eldritch race members living there, it was over a hundred times that of the Hou Cheng Tribe, and the spiritual qi in the environment was extremely dense.
This was one of the sacred lands of the Huanggu eldritch race — the Earth Archeldritch tribe. One of the four great Archeldritch tribes.
In the eastern region of the tribe, deep underground, was a vast subterranean world. An underground lake, as brilliant as starlight, lay like a mirror. A massive snake over ten thousand zhangs long swam slowly through the lake. Two wings grew on its back, and it exuded an incredibly powerful aura.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three muscular figures wearing beast hide flew out from a distant cave passage, arriving at the edge of the massive lake.
From the aura they emanated, any one of them was more powerful than the strongest member of the Hou Cheng Tribe.
“We pay our respects to the Snake Ancestor,” the three High Eldritches bowed respectfully.
“Hou Zhi, what’s the matter?” The great snake raised its head, its enormous body exerting unprecedented pressure, its huge eyes fixed on the three High Eldritches.
The innate coldness in those serpentine eyes made the three High Eldritches’ hearts tremble involuntarily. This was indeed the Teng Snake who was once a follower of the Archeldritch!
Though they were all at the High Eldritch phase, the Teng Snake’s strength far surpassed theirs, and its lifespan was unbelievably long, still alive even after millions of years.
“Snake Ancestor,” the black-haired middle-aged man at the front respectfully said, “I’ve just received a report.
A new individual has joined the high-tier Hou Cheng Tribe. He’s an Eldritch Warrior who has cultivated for just over a hundred years, and is suspected to possess a Teng Snake as his lifebound eldritch beast,” the black-haired middle-aged man said respectfully. “Moreover, he has comprehended the Celestial Body Dao to the third-level True Intent stage.”
“What? Just over a hundred years old yet already possessing such cultivation and Dao comprehension?” The great snake in the lake showed a hint of surprise. “Is this true?”
“It should be correct. There are over ten Earth Eldritches in the Hou Cheng Tribe. They wouldn’t misjudge something like this,” the black-haired middle-aged man said respectfully.
“Alright, I understand. I will instruct the tower spirit to bestow a portion of Archeldritch Origin upon this Hou Feng. As for the rest, it will depend on his own efforts,” the great snake said in a low voice.
“Thank you, Snake Ancestor,” the black-haired middle-aged man said respectfully.
The three High Eldritch swiftly departed.
The great snake lowered its head, lost in thought.
A Teng Snake? In the past, Master left numerous Teng Snakes throughout the world, but it has been many millennia since a new one appeared.
Moreover, for an Eldritch Warrior to possess an Earth Eldritch’s level of Dao comprehension? Such a monstrous prodigy?
In all my countless years in this world, I fear only Zhu Jiu could compare. The Snake Ancestor in the lake muttered to itself. I hope this one doesn’t disappoint me too greatly.
It’s a pity, though. Without the Immortal Tribulations, when will an Archeldritch ever emerge? And without an Archeldritch, I’ll remain trapped here forever.
With a resounding splash, the lake’s surface rippled as its massive form sank beneath the water’s surface.