The irresistible allure Wu Yuan felt was akin to a starving man seeing a feast.
The Creation Essence Diagram was a wondrous artifact born from numerous Thunder Beast Stones, a Thunder Marsh Spirit, and the aid of the black pagoda.
It was Wu Yuan’s greatest harvest in the Thunder Marsh World, imbued with an extraordinary spiritual resonance and artistic conception. Even ordinary Sovereigns might not possess an ultimate treasure on par with the Creation Essence Diagram.
Back then, when the Creation Essence Diagram coalesced, it felt as if an invisible force compelled me to name it ‘Creation’. Wu Yuan mused, recalling that moment from years past.
It was miraculous, yet also eerie. At the time, Wu Yuan had dismissed it as a flash of inspiration, not delving deeper. But now, it seemed far from simple.
After all, the spiritual resonance emanating from the Creation Divine Hall before him was identical to that of the Creation Essence Diagram, only more vast and majestic, and both bore the name ‘Creation’.
Could it truly be mere coincidence?
Furthermore, back then, the Immutable Token’s spacetime coordinates just happened to point to the Thunder Marsh World, which just happened to contain the Thunder Beast Diagrams left by Astral Monarch Wan Lei? Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.
Initially, it hadn’t seemed significant. But looking back, it was as if an invisible hand had arranged it all.
The opportunities of the Immutable Land weren’t only found in the Huanggu World. In all likelihood, they already appeared in the Thunder Marsh World, with Wu Yuan’s keen observational skills allowing him to seize them from the very beginning. And with the aid of the black pagoda, he’d obtained the Creation Essence Diagram.
During the nearly three hundred years he spent in Huanggu, though Wu Yuan’s body refiner self had devoted most of his energy to comprehending the Law of Life, he had also consistently observed and contemplated the spiritual resonance and artistic conception of the Creation Essence Diagram.
Previously, through this spiritual resonance and artistic conception, Wu Yuan had unknowingly stepped across the threshold of the Law of Life.
Since then, the Creation Essence Diagram had still been of great help in the process of contemplating the Law of Life. It simply wasn’t as direct as the assistance provided by the Archeldritch Hall.
Does this Creation Divine Hall hold the opportunity of the Essence Great Dao Master Kua Chi spoke of? Wu Yuan pondered silently. [1]
He thought of the Creation Divine Artifacts and the Archeldritch Divine Artifacts. They were similar, differing only in power. Both were incredibly miraculous, at least Wu Yuan had never heard of anything like them during his time in the Greenridge Macrocosm.
If they originated from an Essence Great Dao, it would explain their miraculous nature.
Essence Great Daos! These were Daos that transcended the cosmic universe, truly eternal, never perishing. They existed from primordial times, surpassing the fifteen Greater Laws.
However, only the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race can enter, while other powerhouses cannot. Can I enter with the power of the Creation Divine Artifacts? Wu Yuan wondered.
There was clearly a threshold one had to cross to enter the Creation Divine Hall.
Wu Yuan knew that although he possessed the Mirror of Creation, he couldn’t decipher it at all, and thus couldn’t borrow its power.
…
As these thoughts flashed through Wu Yuan’s mind. Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu spoke, “Eldritch Deity Hou Feng, Eldritch Deity Hou Tu. We’ve gathered information via interrogations and have all attempted to enter the Creation Divine Hall.
It’s actually similar to the Archeldritch Hall. Strands of mystical power gradually accumulate in the mist rising from the lake over time. The power grows more concentrated with time.
However, the power is ultimately limited, so in the immortal race, only those who have just become Immortal Generals have the chance to enter the lake. After that, one must earn merits to enter.”
Wu Yuan and Eldritch Deity Hou Tu both nodded.
This was similar to that of the eldritch race, likely an imitation created by the immortal race’s upper echelons. It was normal for major factions to copy systems that proved effective from other factions.
“For us High Eldritches, the effect of this lake isn’t too significant,” Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu said. “I believe the true great opportunity lies within the Creation Divine Hall.
I experimented a little earlier. Even when I unleashed my full power, enough to destroy all other regions of the Thirty-Three Heavens, I couldn’t make this lake budge in the slightest,” Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu said gravely. “I believe this Creation Divine Hall is the core of the entire Heavenly Pillar Mountain.”
These words caused Wu Yuan, Eldritch Deity Hou Feng, and other previously uninformed High Eldritches to show looks of surprise.
If Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu were to unleash his power, he could easily annihilate everything in a million li in a single strike. Yet he couldn’t even budge the lake before them?
“So, there’s only one path we can take, and that’s to enter the Creation Divine Hall,” Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu said.
“How did it go?” Wu Yuan asked.
A flash of embarrassment crossed Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu’s face. This sight caused many High Eldritches to burst into laughter.
“Eldritch Deity Hou Feng, it’s not that we don’t want to enter it, but we simply can’t,” High Eldritch Hou Qiong chimed in.
“The distance from the edge of the lake to the Creation Divine Hall is about a thousand li. All of us have already given it a try.
It’s fine at the lake’s edge, but after advancing just one hundred li, the pressure gradually grows.
Us ordinary High Eldritches find it difficult to advance even three hundred li. Eldritch Deity Hou Lu and the others managed to advance four or five hundred li.
Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu was the most impressive, reaching a full eight hundred li,” High Eldritch Hou Qiong sighed.
Three hundred li? Five hundred li? Eight hundred li?
Wu Yuan pondered for a while. Was the entry criteria solely related to strength? Or was there something else?
If power was the sole requirement, then given that the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race could enter the Creation Divine Hall, there was no reason Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu couldn’t.
Could it be that they relied on the Creation Divine Artifacts?
“This Creation Divine Hall is itself an inconceivable ultimate treasure, probably even more precious than the Archeldritch Divine Artifacts or the Creation Divine Artifacts. We don’t aspire to obtain the Creation Divine Hall, yet we can’t even enter its gates. It’s truly difficult.” a High Eldritch lamented.
This statement drew nods of agreement from many High Eldritches.
“If Heavenly Pillar Mountain is ours, the miraculous power of this lake alone would be equivalent to two Archeldritch Halls in terms of nurturing the younger generation,” Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu said calmly. “For our eldritch race, it is an ultimate treasure.”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“With it, the foundation of our Huanggu eldritch race will be solidified further.” The many High Eldritches had to nod in agreement.
The lake’s power was indeed impressive, but it fell far short of their expectations.
“Eldritch Deity Hou Feng, Eldritch Deity Hou Tu, do you want to give it a try?” Eldritch Deity Hou Lu looked towards Wu Yuan and Hou Tu.
The other High Eldritches had all made their attempts, only these two newcomers hadn’t.
“Alright. I’ll go first,” Eldritch Deity Hou Tu said with a smile. He didn’t stand on ceremony, directly stepping into the lake and swiftly flying towards the Creation Divine Hall.
He crossed the first hundred li almost instantly.
But as soon as he passed the hundred li mark, Eldritch Deity Hou Tu’s expression changed slightly, his previously relaxed demeanor faltering. His form even swayed a bit.
Splash! Eldritch Deity Hou Tu fell directly into the water.
“Haha!”
“As expected.”
“Hou Tu indeed fell for it too.” Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu, Eldritch Deity Hou Lu, and many other High Eldritches burst into laughter. It was rare to see a mighty Eldritch Deity fumble.
Wu Yuan couldn’t stop himself from grinning as well. Clearly, the highest echelons of the eldritch race all knew about the lake’s peculiarity, yet none had spoken up to warn him. They were just waiting for Eldritch Deity Hou Tu to fall for it.
“You bunch of sneaky bastards,” Eldritch Deity Hou Tu retorted, quickly rising and continuing toward the Creation Divine Hall at a reduced speed.
“At the start, the pressure is minimal. From the hundred li mark, the pressure rises. If you rush in too eagerly, you’ll fall,” Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu said with a smile. “Eldritch Deity Hou Feng, when it’s your turn, you’d better go slowly.”
“Mm.” Wu Yuan nodded.
Everyone continued to watch.
Rumble! Invisible waves of pressure appeared to crash against Eldritch Deity Hou Tu as he continued forward. But Eldritch Deity Hou Tu charged straight ahead without stopping.
“As expected of an Eldritch Deity.”
“Two hundred li already, he’s fast.”
“Mm, a bit faster than Eldritch Deity Hou Lu.” The High Eldritches discussed among themselves.
In terms of cultivation base, they were all First Tribulation High Eldritches, but the status of an Eldritch Deity was vastly different from that of ordinary High Eldritches. Eldritch Deities were beings who had fully comprehended a Dao, only unable to break through in the Huanggu World. If placed in the world outside, the Eldritch Deities were all capable of becoming Archeldritches.
Three hundred li, four hundred li, five hundred li…
Eldritch Deity Hou Tu was the oldest Eldritch Deity of the Earth Archeldritch lineage. He was an incredibly ancient existence even within the entire eldritch race, with an extremely strong foundation and power.
Though his pace slowed as he advanced, he still persevered, quickly crossing the six hundred li mark.
“Second place.”
“He’s stronger than me,” Eldritch Deity Hou Lu said with a smile. freewebnovel.cσ๓
From the 600-li mark, Eldritch Deity Hou Tu’s speed began to decrease rapidly.
“He’s slowing down.”
“It seems he’s reaching the limit.”
The unseen pressure had clearly risen by another major notch.
When he advanced to the 650-li mark, Eldritch Deity Hou Tu finally stopped. His face was flushed red, his body swaying, obviously nearing his limit.
Whoosh! Eldritch Deity Hou Tu suddenly retreated, his speed incredibly swift. His journey back was much faster.
“Failed. Indeed, I couldn’t reach the end,” Eldritch Deity Hou Tu flew out, his expression returning to normal as he sighed, “The pressure is truly terrifying.
Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu is truly formidable to have reached 800 li,” Eldritch Deity Hou Tu remarked with admiration.
“Hou Tu, you did well.”
“Second only to Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu.”
“As expected of Eldritch Deity Hou Tu.” Several Eldritch Deities and numerous veteran elders spoke up; Eldritch Deity Hou Tu’s performance had been quite impressive indeed.
“Eldritch Deity Hou Feng, now it’s your turn,” Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu smiled at Wu Yuan. “I know my limits. Although I reached 800 li, it would probably take me a very, very long time to cross the remaining 200 li.”
“Indeed, Eldritch Deity Hou Feng might be able to go further.”
“Hard to say. Eldritch Deity Hou Feng may be stronger, but entering the Creation Divine Hall might still pose great difficulty.” The High Eldritches conversed privately with their souls.
“I’ll give it a try,” Wu Yuan smiled, transforming into a streak of light and plunging through the mist-covered lake.
1. There is no Dao of Essence, Essence Great Dao is just another way of saying Great Dao. ☜