Yuan's Ascension-Chapter 995: Racket! Annihilated! (1)

A match? The Sovereign Shi Qing nearly jumped in fright.

"Fellow Daoist Ming Jian, you must be joking," he shook his head repeatedly, his tone increasingly servile. "You slew Sovereign Qing Ling effortlessly, claiming the undisputed title of the number one Sovereign in this macrocosm. Across the entire universe, you stand among the peak of Sovereigns.

“When word of today's battle spreads, it will certainly shake the universe," Shi Qing continued. "The various Saintdoms will surely recognize that you are the true number one Saintcrest Prodigy among the three back then."

He was pandering wildly, deeply fearful that Wu Yuan might decide to eliminate him with just a swing of his sword. If such a thing were to happen, where could he find justice? freewёbnoνel.com

Nonetheless, he knew there was reason in his words — this battle was bound to shake the very foundation of the Ling Jiang Universe. First, Sovereign Qing Ling’s reputation was immense, and second, the length of Wu Yuan's cultivation period was chilling to contemplate.

Although the Ling Jiang Universe was divided into twelve Saintdom factions, the number of Overlords in their ranks totaled just over a hundred. Combined with solitary and hidden Overlords who had yet to reveal their strengths, the number did not exceed two hundred. Thus, demonstrating the combat power of a ninth-stage Sovereign was indeed dazzling and intimidating.

“Peak among Sovereigns? Shi Qing, is this supposed to be praise? I, Ming Jian, have never aimed merely to be a Sovereign," Wu Yuan's voice was indifferent. "But for eternity!"

"I..." Shi Qing's eyes widened, a torrent of helplessness coursing through his heart. Must he truly prostrate himself?

"Enough, Shi Qing," Wu Yuan's gaze was sharp. "What’s your business with me? Surely you didn't come here to chit chat?"

"Indeed, indeed," Sovereign Shi Qing nodded, finally able to breathe easier. "Fellow Daoist Ming Jian, I merely wish to inform you of a few matters.” He shot a fawning smile. “The treasure rightfully belongs to the worthy. Thus, the ore vein celestial body is rightfully yours. Neither our Voltari Temple nor the Immortal Court shall contest you for it, so please rest assured."

"Contest?" Wu Yuan smirked. "Shi Qing, let's not make it seem like you're handing it over to me out of generosity. Forget your Voltari Temple. Even if the Immortal Court sought to pressure me, I still wouldn’t care.

“Won’t contest me? You’re simply incapable of that!" Wu Yuan shook his head dismissively, as though he had just heard a load of rubbish.

Sovereign Shi Qing found himself speechless. His pride was prickly under indignation — he was a dignified Sovereign, renowned in the Greenridge Macrocosm. When had he ever been forced to endure such humiliation?

But he knew Wu Yuan spoke the truth. Contest? Why had the Voltari Temple relinquished this treasure, even deciding to migrate? It was solely due to the overwhelming power Ming Jian displayed.

"Fellow Daoist Ming Jian speaks the truth," Shi Qing kept smiling as if unbothered by the gibe, "There are indeed none in this macrocosm who could vie with you.

“The second matter is that Voltari Temple has resolved to relocate entirely, willingly ceding the territories of more than a thousand immortal nations to the Taiyuan Divine Court, to demonstrate our Immortal Court's goodwill," Shi Qing continued.

"Moreover, on behalf of the other Six Sovereigns of the Greenridge Immortal World, all of the Greenridge Immortal World's territories shall be yours to aid you in unifying this macrocosm." He spoke with what appeared to be genuine sincerity.

"A concession of Voltari Temple's territories? And of Greenridge Immortal World?" Wu Yuan's lips curled into an inscrutable smile. "What gives you the confidence to represent the Greenridge Immortal World?"

"A long time ago, the six Sovereigns of Greenridge Immortal World joined our Immortal Court in secret," Shi Qing explained, "I'm passing on the word from Immortal Emperor Gu Nian." His words bore a courteous facade but hid a latent threat.

"Overlord Gu Nian? Hmph! You’re threatening me?" Wu Yuan sneered derisively.

"I dare not," Shi Qing quickly responded.

"According to you, the Greenridge Immortal World has always been a secret force of the Immortal Court?" Wu Yuan's voice turned frigid, his gaze piercing through Sovereign Shi Qing, "Then am I to understand that Sovereign Qing Ling was also one of yours? The Immortal Court wishes to slay me in revenge?"

"Not at all," Sovereign Shi Qing's face drained of color as he quickly replied, "The death of Sovereign Qing Ling was entirely self-inflicted, and furthermore, he was not one of us."

"So Qing Ling wasn't, but the remaining six Sovereigns of Greenridge Immortal World are? Do you truly expect me to believe that?" Wu Yuan's voice was cold.

Shi Qing was at a loss, realizing Wu Yuan had no intention of accepting the Immortal Emperor's terms.

"Ask him what conditions he has..." Suddenly, a voice resounded within Sovereign Shi Qing's spirit. It was the voice of Overlord Gu Nian.

"May I inquire, Fellow Daoist Ming Jian, what it would take to let the lineage of the Greenridge Immortal World go?" Shi Qing respectfully inquired.

"This is a grudge between me and the other six Sovereigns of the Greenridge Immortal World. There's no need for you or your Immortal Court to interfere," Wu Yuan's qi refiner self replied impassively. "As for your Immortal Court offering up the spacetime territory of the Voltari Temple? Don't relinquish it to me, instead, hand it directly to Wu Yuan of the Cang Feng Eldritch World.

“Wu Yuan and I already agreed to divide the macrocosm Long ago at the Megaverse Crossroads. I will take the Greenridge Immortal World. He will take Voltari Temple, Desolation Divine Court, and the Eight Mountains Alliance." Wu Yuan's gaze bore down upon Sovereign Shi Qing with cold intensity, "I am a man who keeps his promises."

Sovereign Shi Qing's heart tightened. An agreement? Ming Jian and Wu Yuan had already planned to split the entire macrocosm at the Megaverse Crossroads? To declare it so blatantly, how truly brazen! Yet, he had to admit Ming Jian and Wu Yuan had the strength to back such audacity.

"Fellow Daoist, is there truly no room for negotiation?" Sovereign Shi Qing still tried to reason.

"Shi Qing, stop with the nonsense," Wu Yuan stated indifferently. "If there's nothing else, scram."

Scram? Shi Qing's heart blazed with anger, but he kept reminding himself to endure. Endure!

Wu Yuan's qi refiner self's eyes sparked with a hint of amusement. He was indeed provoking Sovereign Shi Qing, or more specifically, provoking the Immortal Court. He was seeking an excuse to act against Voltari Temple.

Having revealed his capabilities in the earlier battle, Wu Yuan knew that there was a high likelihood of the Voltari Temple choosing to relocate. The true selves of Sovereign Shi Qing and Sovereign Voltari were very likely to depart from the macrocosm. If they were to escape, eliminating them in the future would be difficult.

Sovereign Shi Qing, in particular, was Wu Yuan's primary target. Ever since Wu Yuan had become Sovereign, the invisible Great Dao Oath tightened around him, and the burden of karma weighed upon him. It was rather uncomfortable. He had made a promise to Astral Monarch Wan Lei years ago and had to fulfill it.

Originally, he had planned for his body refiner self to complete the task, with his qi refiner self providing covert assistance. But now, there was no other way. His body refiner self had long been out of touch, while the Voltari Temple was ready to relocate at any moment, compelling his qi refiner self to act.

However, his qi refiner self was nominally part of the Taiyuan Divine Court lineage, with no real grudge against the Immortal Court. A sufficiently strong reason was needed to justify taking action.

"Fellow Daoist Ming Jian truly lives up to his reputation," Sovereign Shi Qing's face remained adorned with a smile, "There remains one more matter. Immortal Emperor Gu Nian has asked me to inquire whether Daoist Ming Jian obtained an Azure Saint Token among Sovereign Qing Ling's treasures?

“If Fellow Daoist has acquired it, Immortal Emperor Gu Nian is willing to exchange it for a Xiantian artifact," Shi Qing suggested, "What are your thoughts, Fellow Daoist?"

"Azure Saint Token?" Wu Yuan's expression turned icier. "I have not obtained it."

However, within him, tempestuous waves of shock raged. A token? Could it refer to the Azure Saint Watchtower? It was important enough to compel Overlord Gu Nian to trade a Xiantian artifact for it?

Previously, Wu Yuan had not comprehended the Azure Saint Watchtower's true worth, but now, he had a vague notion. It was a treasure of monumental value.

Wu Yuan wasn't surprised that Overlord Gu Nian had identified it quickly. Most ancient Overlords ventured to numerous perilous exploration sites throughout their lifetimes, learning about many secrets in the process. Just because he didn’t know about the Azure Saint, that didn’t mean the Overlords wouldn’t.

When Sovereign Qing Ling executed the 'Azure Divine Sacrifice,' an immense nebulous figure had manifested behind him. Many powerful Overlords could deduce what treasure he had wielded from that.

"The Immortal Emperor mentioned that the Azure Saint Token holds little utility in Fellow Daoist's hands. Even if you choose to attempt the challenge, you might not obtain a Xiantian artifact," Shi Qing persisted. "This transaction is undoubtedly favorable for you, Fellow Daoist Ming Jian.

“If Fellow Daoist distrusts my words, you might wish to confer with other Overlords of the Taiyuan Divine Court..." he continued.

"I said I haven't obtained it, why are you continuing to make such a racket?” Wu Yuan's eyes glinted coldly, sweeping his hand abruptly.

Whoosh! A terrifying sword light tore through the void, aiming directly for Sovereign Shi Qing.

Nine lifebound flying swords unified! A Spacetime divine sword!

"No! Fellow Daoist Ming Jian, I—" Sovereign Shi Qing was stupefied with fear, frantically transmitting his voice. At the same time, he withdrew with lightning speed.

The sword light shot through the dim void, casting a trail spanning over billions of li. It left countless shadows, warping the fabric of space.

Too swift. In an instant, the Spacetime divine sword had already reached Sovereign Shi Qing.

Sovereign Shi Qing, in his haste, summoned multiple arcane arts and artifacts. Yet his attempts proved absurdly futile, crushed effortlessly by the sword light. Arcane arts shattered, artifacts were blasted away. In a swift moment, Sovereign Shi Qing's body was crushed and obliterated.

His mana body was dead!

Wu Yuan waved his hand, keeping the Spacetime Divine Sword and retrieving the plethora of artifacts left behind by his defeated foe.

All turmoil was stilled.

A mere mana body, roughly a third-stage Sovereign in combat power. Wu Yuan dismissed coldly. Even when I said no, he persisted in his incessant clamor? Courting death!

In truth, Wu Yuan had been vexed, looking for an excuse. As for whether the Immortal Court would recognize this justification? To Wu Yuan, it mattered not. If they had the ability, they could come and bite him!

Within the macrocosm, the current Wu Yuan didn’t fear anyone one bit. If the Immortal Court sent a hundred, he would kill a hundred. If they sent a thousand, he would simply kill a thousand.

Long ago, Sovereign Qing Ling had dominated the macrocosm unchallenged, leaving all Saintdom factions impotent. And Wu Yuan's qi refiner self’s strength had far surpassed the late Sovereign Qing Ling's.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan crossed a step, reentering the array cloaking the ore vein celestial body.

"Ming Jian?"

"What happened?"

"You killed Sovereign Shi Qing's mana body?"

"This..." Sovereign Bei You, Sovereign Heng Yang, Sovereign Zhen Guang, and Sovereign Zhu Yue all gathered around, their faces filled with shock.

Earlier, when Wu Yuan spoke with Sovereign Shi Qing in the void, they weren’t able to hear the contents of their conversation. They merely saw Wu Yuan drawing his sword at the end, slaying Sovereign Shi Qing with a single strike. It was decisive and merciless.

"Yes, I destroyed Shi Qing's mana body," Wu Yuan replied calmly, utterly unconcerned.