Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 755: Dominating The Spacetime Island (1)

"I'm not certain," Wu Yuan said with a smile. "In a direct confrontation, I'm no match for a single Astral Lord, let alone a group of Astral Lords of Space."

Zhuo Haiyue nodded in agreement. She could unleash late-stage Astral Lord-level power as a High Immortal as she cultivated a Saint Prohibition Art. From Wu Yuan's displayed battle prowess, she could roughly deduce that Wu Yuan likely possessed a similar secret art.

It was unthinkable for an Earth Immortal to unleash power equivalent to a sixth-stage Archimmortal purely with their own mana. That would be too terrifying.

Such heaven-defying burst secret arts also came with numerous limitations.

"Then don't be too arrogant. The Dao of Spacetime gives you formidable escape abilities, but it's not omnipotent. If things get dicey, send the treasures back to the Spacetime Island first," Zhuo Haiyue advised. "If there's anything you need my help with, just let me know."

"Alright," Wu Yuan replied. "If I need anything, I'll definitely tell you."

In terms of direct combat, Zhuo Haiyue was at the late-stage Astral Lord level, far more powerful than Nie Zhen and the others.

"By the way, you previously made enemies with that group of imprint bearers from the Immortal Court faction on Spacetime Island," Zhuo Haiyue said. "Now that you've caused such a huge commotion, haven't the Immortal Court faction's imprint bearers come looking for you?"

"No," Wu Yuan shook his head.

Over the past year, as Wu Yuan slew Archimmortals and Archdeities in droves, his name had spread throughout the nine major factions of the Dao Realm. As time passed, it gradually spread across the Spacetime Island as well, creating an equally massive storm.

It had been a very long time since an Earth Immortal had been able to unleash such terrifying power, even within the various major factions.

"If you can resolve the grudge, it's best to do so. You didn't suffer too great a loss back then," Zhuo Haiyue advised.

Wu Yuan listened with a smile, keeping silent.

"Don't ignore my advice," Zhuo Haiyue shook her head and said. "This past year, you've repeatedly displayed astonishing power in the Snowlight Mist Realm. Your fame has grown immensely. Though you may seem slightly weaker than me, your true situation is different from mine.

I think the highest echelons of the many factions across the vast river of space and time have already taken notice of you. The amount of attention they’ll pay to you will likely be on par with what I’m receiving.

If you appear too hostile towards the Immortal Court, their highest echelons will also be wary of you. The losses would outweigh the gains," Zhuo Haiyue warned.

Wu Yuan replied nonchalantly, "Mm, I'll think about it."

He naturally understood the reason for Zhuo Haiyue's warning.

For the top factions in the river of space and time, especially those at the level of the Eldritch Court and Immortal Court, even geniuses of Senior Brother Jiang Huan, Nie Zhen, and Mi Yun’s caliber wouldn't concern them too much. After all, such geniuses mostly wouldn't become Sovereigns.

But if one reached the level of a Supreme Genius, one’s significance would be entirely different, not to mention that his own performance had far surpassed the benchmark of Supreme Geniuses.

When the soldiers come, block them with generals. When floods arrive, dam them with earth. Who could possibly deal with me in the Spacetime Dao Realm? A hint of killing intent flashed in Wu Yuan's eyes.

The Immortal Court faction? Everything else can be negotiated, except for Mi Yun. Even if he wants to lower his head, I must still squeeze him dry first.

Wu Yuan hadn't forgotten how the other party had mercilessly slain his mana body with a single saber strike in the Core Region of the Snowlight Mist Realm back then.

...

In fact, it wasn't just Zhuo Haiyue. Over the past year, as Wu Yuan's reputation in the Snowlight Mist Realm grew ever greater, friends like Dong Fan, Xiang Dao, Nangong Meng, and many others all strove to strengthen their ties with Wu Yuan, communicating frequently with him.

Wu Yuan was also happy to chat and drink with these friends in the Spacetime Immortal Voidrealm between battles, as it was a rare form of recreation and relaxation.

On this day.

Hm? Wu Yuan opened his eyes, a trace of surprise flashing through them. Nangong Meng is hosting a banquet and inviting me?

He quickly read through the message. Soon, his lips curled into a strange smile. So arrogant back then, yet now proactively lowering his head?

This banquet invitation wasn't simply a gathering between friends. In reality, Nangong Meng was acting as an intermediary.

It was another peerless genius from the Taiyuan faction, Nie Zhen, who wanted to apologize and reconcile with Wu Yuan. Evidently, the power and rate of progress Wu Yuan had displayed had frightened Nie Zhen.

I'll give Nangong face and go take a look. Wu Yuan decided after brief consideration. [1]

He didn't have many friends on the Spacetime Island. Nangong Meng counted as one.

...

The Spacetime Immortal Voidrealm, Taiyuan Court.

Several imprint bearers from the Taiyuan Divine Court faction had gathered in a hall, conversing with each other.

"Everyone, Nie Zhen," Nangong Meng suddenly smiled. "Ming Jian just sent me a message agreeing to attend the banquet."

"As expected, Nangong's face carries weight."

"Nangong is indeed Brother Ming Jian's good friend," the other two High Immortals in the hall couldn't help but smile.

"Nangong, thank you for the trouble this time," Nie Zhen, tall and imposing in his black robe, said in a deep voice.

Even in the voidrealm, the aura Nie Zhen emitted was still domineering.

"Don't say that. We're all from the Taiyuan faction. I don't want you to remain at odds either, as we’ll simply become a laughingstock for outsiders. It'll be best if you two reconcile," Nangong Meng said with a smile.

"But Nie Zhen, you know Ming Jian's personality. He's very stubborn and rarely shows goodwill towards others. Since you're lowering your head this time, you must be polite. Don't cause any more conflicts and make things difficult for me," Nangong Meng instructed.

She had always been sociable and adept at handling relationship matters, but Wu Yuan was clearly someone she regarded with great importance.

"I understand," Nie Zhen said in a muffled voice. "But I’ll need you to put in a good word for me."

"Of course," Nangong Meng nodded.

This made the other two High Immortals sigh inwardly.

What kind of figure was Nie Zhen? At the High Deity phase, he could unleash Astral Lord-level power. Without a doubt, once he completed the Ninth Tribulation, he could immediately become an Astral Monarch.

Moreover, Nie Zhen’s personality was extremely overbearing and arrogant. In the tens of thousands of years he had roamed the Spacetime Island, no one had heard of him suffering any major setbacks.

But now, faced with Wu Yuan, who had risen meteorically and shone with dazzling brilliance, he had no choice but to take the initiative to lower his head.

This was enough to show just how intimidating Wu Yuan’s reputation was.

"Hm? Ming Jian is almost here," Nangong Meng stood up, revealing a smile. "I'll head out to welcome him. Everyone, please wait here."

"Let's go together."

"Haha, I'll go welcome him too," the two High Immortals both stood up.

He's here. Nie Zhen, sitting not far away, sighed inwardly. During ordinary gatherings like this, Nangong has never welcomed me personally before, let alone Tu Qing and Ye Tong. It seems they truly value Ming Jian far more than me... I hope this Ming Jian won't make things too difficult for me.

However, since he's willing to come, negotiations should be possible. I'll just have to pay a price. Nie Zhen silently made some calculations.

...

In the corridor leading to the hall.

"Ming Jian."

"Brother Ming Jian." Nangong Meng and the two High Immortals were all smiles as they approached.

"Nangong, Daoist Tu Qing, Daoist Ye Tong," Wu Yuan also smiled as he greeted the group.

The three before him were all Dao Master Imprint bearers of the Taiyuan Divine Court faction.

Aside from Nangong Meng who was slightly weaker, Tu Qing and Ye Tong both possessed Astral Lord-level strength. They were on the same tier as Nie Zhen – once they passed their Ninth Tribulations, they could directly become Astral Monarchs.

It could be said that Tu Qing and Ye Tong were among the top five super geniuses of the Taiyuan faction on the Spacetime Island, yet they were quite courteous towards Wu Yuan. One could even say there was a hint of respect in their attitude.

Wu Yuan naturally knew why this was so–the progress he had displayed was too shocking, leaving these peerless geniuses dumbfounded.

With his current rate of progress, as long as nothing unexpected happened, Wu Yuan would go on to become an extremely high-level figure in the Taiyuan Divine Court in the future.

"Ming Jian, as you know, the reason we’ve invited you here is to facilitate reconciliation between you and Nie Zhen," Nangong Meng said. "Tu Qing, Ye Tong, and I are just here as witnesses."

"Mm, let me meet him first," Wu Yuan nodded, but didn't express his stance directly. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The group exchanged glances.

"Brother Ming Jian, please," Tu Qing smiled.

...

Inside the private room.

Seeing the crowd escorting Wu Yuan over, Nie Zhen hurriedly stood up and squeezed out a smile: "Brother Ming Jian, I admit that I have offended you in the past. I hope Brother Ming Jian can forgive me."

"Forgive you?" Wu Yuan's face held an ambiguous smile as he said coolly, "Brother Nie Zhen, this wasn’t the attitude you had back then."

Wu Yuan didn't harbor that great a grudge against Nie Zhen, there was no mortal enmity between them. But to say Wu Yuan didn't take it to heart at all? He wasn't that magnanimous either.

In fact, ever since crystallizing the True Intent of two Great Daos, Wu Yuan no longer considered geniuses on the level of Nie Zhen and Tu Qing as his rivals.

In his heart, those still worth surpassing were the top group of peerless geniuses in history. The goal after that was to become a Sovereign!

As for geniuses on the level of Nie Zhen and the others? Wu Yuan would swiftly surpass them in strength once he broke through to become a High Immortal.

"I was arrogant in the past, and that was my mistake," Nie Zhen said in a low voice. "I'm willing to pay one million divine crystals to seek Brother Ming Jian’s forgiveness."

"One million divine crystals?" Wu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't respond.

"Brother Ming Jian," standing from the side, Nangong Meng chipped in with a smile. "We know a little about the grudge between you and Nie Zhen. Nie Zhen now knows his mistake and is willing to pay a price. Why don't you forgive him, Ming Jian?"

"Yes, Brother Ming Jian. You're already considered the leader of our Taiyuan faction on the Spacetime Island, and will even be a future high-ranking member of our divine court headquarters. It’s beneath you to hold onto these trivial grudges." Tu Qing also chimed in with a smile.

They had been invited by Nie Zhen, so naturally they tried their best to help them make up.

After pondering for a moment, Wu Yuan said coolly, "Fine! Nie Zhen, if it weren't for Nangong’s invitation, I definitely wouldn't have agreed to come. But since you're sincere about reconciling, and we're both from the Taiyuan faction, I'll give you a chance."

"Feel free to state your conditions, Brother Ming Jian," Nie Zhen said quickly.

What he feared most was Wu Yuan refusing to give him any chance at all, just waiting until he became a Sovereign in the future before taking revenge.

Indeed, in his view, Wu Yuan's potential was so great that as long as he didn't perish prematurely, there was an extremely high probability he would become a Sovereign in the future. Otherwise, why would he be willing to lower his head?

"Five million divine crystals," Wu Yuan said. "Pay five million divine crystals, and our grudge will be wiped clean."

Five million divine crystals?

For some Archimmortals and Archdeities of the Dao Realm, the price Wu Yuan stated was five hundred thousand divine crystals. This was because they couldn't threaten the life of his true self, and Wu Yuan was destined to leave in the future, not staying in the Spacetime Dao Realm for too long.

But it was different for Nie Zhen. They all belonged to the Taiyuan faction. If Wu Yuan really became a Sovereign in the future, he would naturally have many ways to deal with him.

"Five million divine crystals isn't much for an Astral Lord-level powerhouse," Wu Yuan said lazily.

Nie Zhen quickly tried to negotiate, "Brother Ming Jian, many Astral Lords are only able to accumulate hundreds of millions of divine crystals after roaming for eons. Although I have the strength of an Astral Lord, my cultivation period is very short, and I've accumulated very little wealth. Five million divine crystals..."

"Nie Zhen. I'm giving you a chance solely out of respect for Nangong and the others," Wu Yuan said with a cold smile. "Do you think I really care about these five million divine crystals? If you really don't want to reconcile, then forget it.

Besides, are you really unable to come up with five million divine crystals?"

1. doing xx to give someone ‘face’ is equivalent to doing xx out of consideration for someone’s relationship with you or out of respect for someone. ☜