“Wu Yuan?” Emperor Dong Pan was puzzled.
“Isn’t he the young prodigy from the Cloudstride Sect?” Daoist Wan Xing exclaimed in surprise, “Didn’t he just reach the Grandmaster level recently?”
“Haa,” Wu Yuan chuckled lightly, “He has already become a body refiner. Though he isn’t too strong, he can still contribute to your fight. As he is a native of the Middle Land, I cannot prevent him from joining the battle. When the battle starts, I hope both of you Daoists can help me keep an eye on him.”
Daoist Wan Xing was utterly astounded. “A body refiner? A 21-year-old body refiner?”
At this moment, Emperor Dong Pan found himself equally shocked.
A 21-year-old Heavenly Ranker? Heavens!
“Fellow Daoists, Wu Yuan has always been extraordinarily talented. In recent years, under the guidance of Daoist Wan Liu and the consumption of numerous treasures, it isn’t surprising that he has become a body refiner,” Fang Xia added with a chuckle.
“With Senior Wan Liu as his master, it is indeed not too surprising,” Daoist Wan Xing sighed, “But it is still astonishing.”
“This Wu Yuan is truly an unparalleled prodigy, it’s a pity that there simply isn’t enough time for him to mature.”
Had it not been for this impending calamity, both Daoist Wan Xing and Emperor Dong Pan might not have been pleased to witness the emergence of such a peerless genius. But now that they were faced with this great catastrophe, they naturally considered the bigger picture.
…
After conversing with Daoist Wan Xing and Emperor Dong Pan, Wu Yuan and Fang Xia’s consciousness exited from the imposing Middle Land Immortal Hall. Then, the two came to the sky above Cloudhill. Meanwhile, Bu Yu and Huan Jian remained in the underground jade chamber.
“Young Master, is it truly appropriate to reveal your strength at this time?” Fang Xia inquired, unable to contain his curiosity.
“In the beginning, it was necessary to keep it secret due to my lack of strength,” Wu Yuan responded, his lips curling into a slight smile.
“But now? I have reached the third-stage Communion phase. I have the artifacts you’ve refined, and also cultivated numerous techniques,” Wu Yuan calmly stated. “I no longer fear anyone in the Middle Land. Why should I be worried?”
“Furthermore, the truth of my identity will be unveiled sooner or later. You have witnessed the reports regarding the devil worm. Can we truly evade this threat?” Wu Yuan shook his head ever so slightly, gesturing towards the thriving Cloudhill City sprawled out in the distance. “Just as Daoist Wan Xing said, if we were to withdraw, billions of lives within the Middle Land would perish!”
“Tell me, Old Fang, can we retreat?” Wu Yuan’s unwavering gaze bore into Fang Xia’s eyes.
Fang Xia fell into a contemplative silence. Moments later, a grin stretched across his face. “Young Master, if you have resolved to participate in this battle, then I, Old Fang, naturally cannot refuse. Even if we are to perish, I shall go first!”
A shared understanding passed between the two as they exchanged smiles.
“Old Fang, you have many talents. Can you think of any way for us to navigate this impending calamity?” Wu Yuan asked.
“Yes!” Fang Xia declared without a moment’s hesitation.
“What is it?” Wu Yuan’s eyes lit up.
“The Fourth Eldritch Realm,” Fang Xia stated solemnly. “If there’s anyone in the Middle Land capable of removing the threat of the devil, it would be the realm master.”
“The Fourth Eldritch Realm?” Wu Yuan murmured to himself, his gaze growing resolute, “Very well. Old Fang, help me think of more solutions. Meanwhile, I will make a visit to the Fourth Eldritch Realm.”
With that, Wu Yuan’s form transformed into a streak of radiant light as he sprinted in the direction of the Chu Continent.
Watching Wu Yuan’s receding figure, Fang Xia’s smile slowly faded. Wu Yuan, the realm master has indeed chosen you for a reason. Perhaps, in due time, you will truly prove yourself worthy of being my ‘young master’.
…
Whoosh! Wu Yuan traversed the land at a speed exceeding ten li per second, heading straight for the Chu Continent.
Over the past few years, Wu Yuan reached a deep level of comprehension regarding the profundity of the Land. Though he had yet to reach the Domain stage, he far surpassed his former self. At least, Wu Yuan was able to sprint across the earth without leaving a trace of disturbance in the air.
As he journeyed, he effortlessly leaped over mountains and crossed mighty rivers. Everywhere his eyes fell, vibrant scenes of life unfolded.
Worm devils are not beasts, they are devils. Among hell devils, they are one of the most terrifying subspecies. Wherever they appear, life is extinguished. Wu Yuan absorbed every detail of the passing landscape, his determination growing ever stronger.
I may be able to escape this battle. In a few decades’ time, I may even cultivate to the Spiritual Body phase. At that time, I’ll possess a greater arsenal of solutions, perhaps even the means to flee the Middle Land altogether. Even if the worm devil seeks to engulf the entirety of Summerpeak, it would require hundreds of years to achieve such a feat.
I have every opportunity to evade this impending catastrophe. Yet, should I retreat now and allow the worm devil to reduce the Middle Land to utter ruin, will I regret my inaction in the years to come?
Wu Yuan shook his head subtly, recollecting memories of his beloved mother, sister, and the Wu Clan. The faces of Gao Yu, Zhao Baifan, Wu Sheng, Luo He, and numerous others whom he cherished flooded his thoughts. He reminisced about the majestic rivers and mountains he saw during his travels across the Jiang Continent, as well as the diverse landscapes of the Central Plains.
I am Wu Yuan of the Blue Planet, but I am also Wu Yuan of the Middle Land.
Determination shone in his eyes, and he quickened his pace. To Wu Yuan, 10,000 li wasn’t too far.
…
As Wu Yuan raced to the Fourth Eldritch Realm, the numerous Heavenly Rankers in the world engaged in fervent discussion.
Deep within the forbidden zone in the Holy Continent, in a massive cave.
“Father, based on Wan Liu’s warning, if we fail to halt the advance of the worm devil, it will spell our doom,” Jin Ji reported. “Emperor Dong Pan and Daoist Wan Xing are both requesting your assistance in the upcoming battle. Will you emerge from seclusion to fight alongside them?”
A massive snake, its obsidian coils spanning a hundred meters, lay nearby.
“Worm devil?” The illusory figure in purple robes seated atop a jade platform showed an expression of disbelief. “How could a worm devil appear in the Middle Land?”
“Master, Jin Ji and I also share your astonishment. However, the evidence shown has proven this to be an irrefutable fact,” Black Snake King rumbled. “Deity Huang has indeed died; this is the undeniable truth.”
The purple-robed illusory figure fell into contemplative silence.
After a moment passed, Black Snake King cautiously posed a question, “Master, will you emerge from your seclusion?”
“I will not.” The purple-robed illusory figure slowly replied, his expression steadfast. “I’m currently at the precipice of a breakthrough, a crucial juncture. Once achieved, I will wield full control over the treasure realm. Emerging from seclusion now would render all my previous efforts wasted.”
“Even if I were to join forces with Wan Xing and the others, the odds of slaying the devil are exceedingly low!” The illusory figure said.
Jin Ji and the colossal black snake listened attentively.
“Even if every cultivator in the Middle Land were to unite in this battle, the likelihood of winning remains less than 30%,” the illusory figure declared, shaking his head. “Since victory is near impossible, we must prepare for retreat in the event of failure.”
“Father, do you have an escape plan?” Jin Ji asked. “Are we to venture into the Spiritless Region?”
“The Spiritless Region is a place of extreme danger. We might as well take our chances and confront the devil until the bitter end,” the illusory figure replied with a shake of his head. “Don’t forget, no matter how strong the devil may be, it cannot feed without limit, and requires time to grow.”
“As long as I gain control over the treasure realm, I will have a way for us to depart from the Middle Land.”
Jin Ji and the black snake’s eyes sparkled with renewed hope.
“I will strive to achieve my breakthrough as soon as possible,” the illusory figure stated.
“As for you two, proceed to the battlefield. Victory would be ideal, but above all, prioritize survival. If circumstances prove dire, retreat,” the illusory figure instructed firmly. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
“Understood.” Jin Ji and the black snake nodded in unison.
With a glimmer of hope for their survival, any thoughts of fighting to the death naturally dissipated.
“Furthermore, didn’t the six array flags of the Septet Ignis Array fall into Fang Xia’s hands?” the illusory figure continued. “Seize this opportunity to force Fang Xia to surrender the array flags, the rationale being that it is an important weapon for dealing with the devil. The value of this array is immense.”
“Understood, it will be done,” Jin Ji nodded, feeling much more confident than before.
…
In less than half an hour, Wu Yuan had raced across tens of thousands of li, sprinting from the Jiang Continent to Jiexian Mountain on the Chu Continent. Just as before, an imposing army patrolled the area. However, they failed to notice Wu Yuan previously when was a Grandmaster, let alone now.
“Realm Master, Wu Yuan humbly requests an audience,” Wu Yuan announced softly as he presented the Chu-Jiang Token.
Wu Yuan was aware that the Fourth Eldritch Realm encompassed a radius of 200 li around Jiexian Mountain, and the realm master was able to sense everything that happened within this range.
After a moment of silence, beams of light shot forth from the Chu-Jiang Token and wrapped around Wu Yuan. Feeling an invisible power surrounding his body, he did not resist.
Whiz~ Lights streaked by, and when the world settled around Wu Yuan once more, he found himself back in the temple where he had once received his inheritance.
“Wu Yuan!” A commanding voice called out, “Why have you suddenly come looking for me instead of cultivating diligently?”
“Realm Master,” Wu Yuan bowed respectfully to the towering figure at the end of the hall. “I implore the realm master to save the Middle Land. A worm devil is poised to bring about an apocalypse.”
Wu Yuan quickly recounted the recent events in the Huang Continent.
“Devil? Huang Continent? Tens of thousands of li away?” The realm master’s form shimmered, and his voice reverberated through the temple. “Wu Yuan, I cannot save the Middle Land. Even if I were capable of doing so, I would not come to its rescue.”