Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 694: Spacetime Secret Codex

Wu Yuan was momentarily puzzled. Chosen by heaven? Selected for my natural talent?

But he regained his calm in an instant. Such occurrences were entirely normal.

It reminded him of when he first entered the Fourth Eldritch Realm back in the Summerpeak World. His talent had been unrivaled across the Middle Land, earning him immediate recognition from the realm master.

Today was no different. So-called trials often tested one's physical aptitude, Dao comprehension, willpower, and Dao Heart. By successfully making it through the ice vortex, he had demonstrated exceptional talent, rendering many trials nothing more than jokes.

When one's abilities far exceeded the requirements, direct inheritance of treasures often followed after verification.

"Ordinary immortal cultivators must pass twelve trials of the Spacetime Labyrinth before they can meet me. Many of these trials are life-or-death ordeals," explained the black-robed figure claiming to be the temple spirit.

"Like the young girl who entered with you – though talented, she excels in the Law of Lightning. So she lacks the qualifications to meet me directly and must undergo many dangerous trials.

I estimate her chances of success to be less than ten percent," the black-robed figure added casually.

Wu Yuan was taken aback.

Zhuo Haiyue? Even if her talent fell short of his own, it couldn't be by much. Yet she had less than a ten percent chance?

On second thought, it made sense. This was the Spacetime Labyrinth after all, part of the Spacetime Dao Realm's territory. Naturally, it would place the highest demands on one's mastery of Spacetime.

"According to the Spacetime Island records, your name is Ming Jian?" the black-robed figure inquired offhandedly.

"Yes." But inwardly, Wu Yuan was startled.

"Don't be surprised," the black-robed figure smiled. "Did you think the Spacetime Labyrinth was left behind by just anyone? It was created by the Dao Master himself."

Wu Yuan was taken aback. Left by the Dao Master?

"The entire Spacetime Dao Realm holds many opportunity grounds, all left behind by the Dao Master for future disciples. They emerge according to various operational laws.

Take this Spacetime Labyrinth I control, or the Black Devil Blood Hollow also located in the Snowlight Mist Realm. Though left by Sovereign Black Devil, it ultimately exists because the Dao Master has permitted it.

Talents from various factions in the Dao Realm, like you Spacetime Island members, all qualify to come. Encountering these places is a matter of luck. But whether one can obtain their treasures depends on talent and strength.

Nothing in the entire Dao Realm can be hidden from the Dao Master. The greatest opportunity in the entire Dao Realm is the Dao Master himself," the black-robed figure smiled. "And I have the authority to access all records from the Spacetime Island and the nine major factions of the Dao Realm.

A quick search was all it took to find your information."

Wu Yuan nodded in understanding.

It made sense. What made the Spacetime Dao Realm special? It was the Dao Master, of course.

The Greenridge Macrocosm, for instance, far surpassed the Spacetime Dao Realm in both spatial territory and population of living beings.

But from what Wu Yuan knew, the number of Astral Lord and Astral Monarch level existences in the Greenridge Macrocosm couldn't match that of the Spacetime Dao Realm.

Why? It was due to the Dao Master's presence.

He was an ancient, supreme existence who spread the Dao far and wide, unconsciously influencing countless cultivators to grow stronger.

"Ming Jian, you're qualified and that's what matters," said the black-robed figure. "Though the Spacetime Labyrinth holds many treasures, they pale in comparison to what Legacy Imprint bearers of the Spacetime Island receive. So the rewards here are limited.

First, I'll grant you divine crystals."

Whoosh! A hazy light flashed, and a storage ring materialized before Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan reached out to grab it, probing with his Soul Force.

He was immediately taken aback, for inside the storage ring was a vast mountain of divine crystals. At a glance, there seemed to be over ten million units of divine crystals – a truly staggering amount.

"Thirty million divine crystals. No more, no less," the black-robed figure said with a faint smile. "You're only an Earth Immortal after all. This is the best you can get, enough to significantly boost your strength."

Wu Yuan nodded repeatedly, quite satisfied.

Indeed, with thirty million divine crystals, he could finally upgrade his second to fourth lifebound flying swords.

During his hundred-plus years on the Spacetime Island, he had only managed to upgrade one lifebound flying sword to a low-grade celestial artifact using the resources gifted by Ancestral Master Bei You.

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His other lifebound flying swords? They remained high-grade spirion artifacts.

The black-robed figure simply smiled. Thirty million divine crystals? To him, it was hardly worth mentioning.

"The second treasure is an inheritance. For you, this is truly priceless – the best treasure of all," said the black-robed figure.

Inheritance? Wu Yuan's heart stirred.

As he spoke, the black-robed figure raised his hand and pointed to the void. Countless streams of light converged, instantly coalescing into a towering ethereal figure.

He stood there as if transcending heaven and earth. All things and Daos seemed nonexistent before him.

Though he exuded no powerful aura, Wu Yuan felt an instinctive urge to prostrate. Seeing him was like beholding the Lord of Heaven himself– a sensation utterly different from encountering a Sovereign.

What astounded Wu Yuan most was that although he could clearly see the figure's face, his memory of it would rapidly fade as soon as he closed his eyes. It was impossible to retain.

"The Great Dao cannot be revealed. The Dao Master transcends heaven and earth. Where he stands, the Great Dao is. Though the Spacetime Dao Realm is special, it ultimately falls within the boundaries of the river of space and time. So while the restrictions are somewhat looser than in normal realms, they still exist," the black-robed figure said calmly.

"Unless one is a Sovereign who can resist the pressure of heaven and earth, it's impossible to remember the Dao Master's visage."

Wu Yuan was inwardly shocked. The Great Dao?

Was the Dao Master truly an existence who had fully mastered an Essence Great Dao?

"An Essence Great Dao transcends the myriad Daos of heaven and earth, existing eternally," the black-robed figure glanced at Wu Yuan, seemingly able to read his thoughts. "Only by grasping the essence can one truly attain eternity..."

"Alright, that’s enough talk. Prepare to receive the inheritance," the black-robed figure smiled.

Whoosh! A beam of light suddenly flew out from the towering ethereal figure, merging directly into Wu Yuan's body.

Boom! The towering figure dissipated.

Wu Yuan involuntarily sat down in lotus position, his consciousness fully immersed. Vast quantities of information surged into his mind, etching themselves deep into his soul. His brain felt on the verge of bursting.

It wasn’t just his mana body. At this moment, even his qi refiner self sank into this special state.

Spacetime! Wu Yuan felt as if he had transformed into different cultivators, each practicing incredibly powerful Space and Time secret arts. Every technique possessed unique and formidable abilities.

From 'Higher Dimensional Crossing' of Qiankun True Intent, to 'Spatial Fracturing' of Spatial Rift True Intent, to 'Domain Seal' of True Domain True Intent... to techniques combining the Law of Time like 'Great Spacetime Severance' and 'Spacetime Divination Art'...

The secret arts and arcane arts progressed from weak to strong, shallow to profound, leaving Wu Yuan dumbfounded.

Many secret arts were interpreted in ways he had never imagined, especially the fusion of Time and Space, which utterly fascinated him.

Wu Yuan felt as if he were possessing these cultivators, sensing the myriad subtleties in the cultivation process of these secret arts.

He could not fathom what level of existence could create such powerful secret arts.

Time and Space... can be combined so perfectly. Wu Yuan was immersed in it all.

Some secret arts clearly represented the perfect fusion of Space and Time. The profundities they contained had already transcended the scope of Greater Laws.

After a long while, the vast knowledge regarding the Law of Time, Law of Space, and their powerful combination techniques, along with countless cultivation insights, were all etched into Wu Yuan's mind.

This was a rare opportunity.

Dao comprehension was one aspect, but to fully manifest its power, the secret arts one could employ were equally crucial.

Moreover, by cultivating these secret arts and drawing inferences, one's Dao comprehension would rapidly improve as well.

Wu Yuan sat cross-legged and began to cultivate quietly.

The black-robed figure beside him merely watched without interrupting.

...

The Spacetime Island was mysterious and unfathomable.

In an even higher spatial dimension of the island, space seemed nonexistent, yet multiple spatial dimensions seemed to converge. The flow of time constantly fluctuated, even showing signs of stagnation.

In this intersection of space and time stood a special hall.

Inside the hall sat a black-robed figure, his long hair obscuring his face. He seemed eternally unchanging.

Suddenly, a deep voice resonated within the hall, "First step of inheritance, secret codex transmission, Ming Jian."

The black-robed figure seemed not to hear, or perhaps had fallen into slumber, showing no reaction.

...

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, over ten years had passed.

During this time, numerous powerful cultivators from the Spacetime Island and the nine major factions of the Dao Realm successively arrived at the Snow Devil Cave, attempting to explore the Spacetime Labyrinth.

Many entered, but few emerged.

Within the Spacetime Labyrinth was a bizarre, unpredictable place where spacetime overlapped.

A silver-armored figure stood there.

She raised her head, silently observing and comprehending a series of diagrams containing infinite profundities of the Dao, utterly entranced.

I didn't encounter the ultimate treasure in the end. My aptitude for Spacetime is ultimately lacking.

However, gaining access to this Spacetime Essence Diagram can still be considered a great opportunity. Zhuo Haiyue's eyes held a glimmer of anticipation.

This mana body of hers had fought frantically through countless trials in the Spacetime Labyrinth, enduring numerous ordeals to reach this point. But this was her limit.

At least, it's given me a glimpse of hope for escape. Zhuo Haiyue remained immersed, continuing to comprehend the diagram.

...

In the midst of an icy, snow-covered wasteland.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan sat in lotus position atop the frozen plain, his body enveloped by a thick layer of ice and snow.

He slowly opened his eyes.

The ‘Spacetime Secret Codex' truly lives up to its reputation as an inheritance left by the Dao Master. Wu Yuan's eyes gleamed with a hint of fervor.

It was utterly miraculous.

These ten-plus years of insight were equivalent to forty or fifty years of arduous cultivation in the past. Not only had he comprehended numerous secret arts and teachings, but his progress in the Law of Space and Law of Time had also been tremendous.

In the depths of his consciousness, Wu Yuan could already see the path to crystallizing Time True Intent. It no longer seemed too far off.

The Dao Master's phantom had long since dissipated, leaving Wu Yuan alone on the vast ice plain.

Crack! Wu Yuan stood up, the layers of ice that had covered his body shattering and falling away.

Whoosh! Countless shimmering shadows converged, and the black-robed figure that called itself the temple spirit materialized, stepping out from the void.

"Senior," Wu Yuan bowed respectfully.

"The 'Spacetime Secret Codex' is a collective term, the overarching framework for the many secret arts and teachings created by the Dao Master. By studying and utilizing it, you will go further on the path of spacetime," the black-robed figure smiled. "I hope you won't disappoint this teaching."

"Yes," Wu Yuan nodded solemnly.

Only after comprehending it could one truly understand the wonder and power of this teaching.

"Additionally, since our meeting is fate, I'll give you a piece of advice," the black-robed figure looked at Wu Yuan. "A member of the Spacetime Island who bears a Legacy Imprint will receive the ‘Spacetime Saint Codex' inheritance, which is the Dao Master's ultimate teaching... It truly contains a trace of the Saint Source!"

The 'Spacetime Sacred Codex'? Wu Yuan's heart stirred.

As for the Saint Source? What was that?

"And..." the black-robed figure suddenly stopped, his eyes flashing with a hint of surprise. A moment later, he laughed, "Haha, that’s all I can say, I’m not allowed to speak further on this. So be it. Work hard, and don’t give up.

Never give up, haha.

Alright, you may go now." The black-robed figure waved, and a spacetime fluctuation enveloped Wu Yuan before he could reply.

Wu Yuan instantly vanished from the spot.

“You’re accusing me of meddling again?” The black-robed figure stood in place, seemingly talking to himself, yet also as if conversing with an invisible figure in the void. “Aren't you the same? We both hope for the Dao Master to have another successor. This little one clearly has potential, so why not give him a few more pointers?”

“Spacetime is one of the Essence Great Daos. He must comprehend it himself to truly have a chance of treading this path,” a deep voice resonated.

The voice paused for a moment. "Moreover, I sensed the aura of Creation within him. It seems he's not far from crossing the threshold of Creation Essence."

"Creation?" The black-robed figure's pupils contracted slightly.

...

Whoosh! Spacetime shifted.

Wu Yuan appeared out of thin air amidst a vast sea of mist.

He transported me away without even finishing his words? Wu Yuan muttered to himself.

Scanning his surroundings, he immediately understood where he was. The Frost Mist Sea? He actually teleported me here?

The entrance to the Spacetime Labyrinth was quite far from the Frost Mist Sea, but Wu Yuan understood that the mysterious black-robed figure could probably transport him to any part of the Snowlight Mist Realm with a mere thought.

Haiyue, I didn't even get to ask how she's doing... Oh well, if she gained anything, she'll tell me. Wu Yuan shook his head slightly.

He believed that with Zhuo Haiyue's talent and strength. As long as her luck wasn't too bad, she should have obtained something.

When I came to the Snowlight Mist Sea, I only intended to complete a Sovereign-level Mission and gain some experience for my future venture into the Black Devil Blood Hollow. Wu Yuan revealed a faint smile. I didn't expect to reap such great rewards.

The thirty million divine crystals were just one aspect. The 'Spacetime Secret Codex' was the truly great treasure, providing Wu Yuan with enough numerous secret arts to cultivate for a long time.

Time to head back. Wu Yuan chose to return right away.

After completing a spacetime mission, one could return directly to the Spacetime Island if not engaged in combat.

Carrying tens of millions of divine crystals while venturing into the Black Devil Blood Hollow? Wu Yuan wasn't that bold. If he were to die, the loss would be too great.

Hum! A vast ripple of spacetime, seemingly from the endless depths of time and space, suddenly enveloped Wu Yuan, causing him to vanish from the spot.

...

Wu Yuan's mana body returned to the Spacetime Island, quickly handing over all the treasures from this journey to his qi refiner self.

Without much hesitation, Wu Yuan swiftly accessed the 'Spacetime Treasure Hall' of the Spacetime Immortal Voidrealm, purchasing large quantities of special minerals and materials with divine crystals. These were all for upgrading his lifebound flying swords.

The thirty million divine crystals were rapidly depleted, but Wu Yuan didn't feel too distressed about this. Treasures and divine crystals were meant to strengthen one's power.

The evolution of each lifebound flying sword would be a very slow process.

At this moment, Wu Yuan's brows lifted slightly. Hmm? Nie Zhen is urgently seeking me?

In fact, after waking from his immersive state, Wu Yuan was already aware that many imprint bearers had sent messages to him through the Spacetime Immortal Voidrealm.

News about the Spacetime Labyrinth had already spread.

At that time, both his mana body and true self were receiving the inheritance information of the 'Spacetime Secret Codex', so he hadn't paid much attention.

Much time had passed since then, and Wu Yuan was too lazy to respond to most of the messages, only replying to a few.

I'll go see him. Wu Yuan thought, and a strand of his consciousness descended into the Spacetime Immortal Voidrealm.