Yuan's Ascension
Chapter 1087: Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, Re-entering The Abyss (2)

Chapter 1087: Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, Re-entering The Abyss (2)

In a region of outer space not far from the Abyssal Void, on an ancient star.

With this, I’ve resolved the karma. I only seek to live without regret. Wu Yuan's body refiner self sat in lotus position atop a mountain peak covered in endless ice and snow.

Having completed this task, Wu Yuan felt his heart grow increasingly tranquil and fulfilled.

These past few days, Wu Yuan's body refiner self had remained here, but he hadn't been idle. He had paid respects to Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang, requesting an audience with Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu. However, there was no response so far.

Three months soon went by.

Within his internal world, at the core of that vast sea of blood, the Flower of Sin was withering at an almost imperceptible rate.

Hm? Wu Yuan's body refiner self suddenly opened his eyes, a glimmer of joy flashing through them. Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu is finally willing to see me?

With a thought, he immediately entered the Eldritch Court Voidrealm, arriving at the deepest part of the Myriad River Realm.

"Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang." Wu Yuan's avatar arrived in the temple, bowing respectfully.

Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang looked at Wu Yuan, smiling as he said, "You're quite fortunate, receiving a response from Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu after just a few months.

“Go on. Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu is waiting for you in the Thirty-Seventh Hall of the Eldritch Progenitor Hall," Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang said.

"Eldritch Progenitor Hall?" Wu Yuan was startled. "I’ve never seen the Thirty-Seventh Hall before..."

But before he could finish speaking, Wu Yuan was surprised to discover that his permissions within the Eldritch Progenitor Hall had expanded to include access to the Thirty-Seventh Hall.

"You've noticed? Go on then," Eldritch Progenitor Luan Jiang smiled.

"Yes," Wu Yuan bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew.

...

The Eldritch Progenitor Hall in the Eldritch Court Voidrealm was actually a plane with many functions. Most of the Overlords and eternal lifeforms of the Eldritch Court communicated within the Eldritch Progenitor Hall.

But this was Wu Yuan's first time coming to the Thirty-Seventh Hall.

Clearly, the Overlords' permissions within the Eldritch Court Voidrealm were actually rather limited.

Whoosh~ Wu Yuan appeared out of thin air inside the hall.

The entire hall was empty and unadorned. There was only a figure in white robes seated on a chair not far away. Her jade hands fiddled with a small object, seemingly carving something.

At first glance, she appeared to be an ordinary woman, but that hint of supreme, almost transcendent aura was unmistakable.

"I pay my respects to Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu," Wu Yuan bowed respectfully.

The Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu before him looked vastly different from the previous two times he had seen her.

"Wu Yuan, since you've come to see me so formally, it must be about the Flower of Sin," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said casually, still working on the object in her hands.

"The Progenitor already knows?" Wu Yuan was shocked.

"I don't know the full picture, but most happenings in the Abyss and various universes can't escape my notice," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled faintly. "So, I made some guesses. Your admission confirms my speculation.

“Of course, the most important reason is that I sensed the aura of the Flower of Sin from your body refiner self," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled slightly.

"Sensed the aura of the Flower of Sin?" Wu Yuan was even more confused.

How was it sensed? His body refiner self had remained within the Ling Jiang Universe, never encountering other eternal lifeforms.

"You sent a strand of consciousness into the Eldritch Court Voidrealm. If I wish, I can perceive the state of each avatar's true self through the Eldritch Court Voidrealm," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled.

"This?" Wu Yuan's pupils constricted slightly. This was undoubtedly a great secret.

Moreover, to have such an incredible ability? Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu truly lived up to her reputation.

"However, I'm not seeing you because of the Flower of Sin," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said calmly. "It's because of True Saint Ji Guang. I told you before, you needn't worry about beings at the eternal level. I will shield you from them."

Wu Yuan listened respectfully.

"If my divination is accurate, True Saint Ji Guang has secretly dispatched Dao Pioneer Eternals into the Abyss to search for traces of you," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said. "He has three Saints under his command that he might dispatch. I don't know how many have accepted this mission, perhaps all of them."

"Eternal lifeforms have descended into the Abyss?" Wu Yuan was stunned.

He knew it was extremely difficult for eternal lifeforms to return to the River of Universes. Even True Saint Bu Xiu was unwilling to stay long and quickly left. This was indeed a huge move by True Saint Ji Guang.

"I seek the Progenitor's guidance," Wu Yuan said respectfully. "As for the Flower of Sin, how should it be used? Since I left the Abyss..." Wu Yuan quickly voiced his confusion regarding the Flower of Sin.

Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu listened patiently.

"Your current strength is quite impressive, to display such power even within the Abyss," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled. "You must have received the Creation Dao Master's inheritance and become an Ancestral Pagoda Archon, right?"

Wu Yuan was dumbfounded. Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu knew all this?

"I didn't know before, but after seeing you and divining past and future, I fully confirmed it," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled faintly, her hands still moving, continuing to carve.

"Whether you’re a Dao Master candidate or an Ancestral Pagoda Archon, these are all external. You were able to obtain these successfully due to your past accumulation and growth," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu said. "If you become overly fixated on them, you might become a Dao Master or Dao Zenithel Eternal... but to reach the level of myself or the Heavenly Imperator, it's not enough."

"This disciple will strive diligently," Wu Yuan said, genuinely convinced.

All his secrets were completely laid bare before the Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu. Her mystical abilities had truly reached an inconceivable level.

Moreover, the things he prided himself on, which could make many Eternals and even True Saint Eternals envious, seemed quite ordinary from Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu’s words.

"You're growing faster than I anticipated, reaching this level of strength already," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu praised. "Very good. Obtaining the Flower of Sin this time is your opportunity, and perhaps also a trial."

Wu Yuan listened respectfully.

"The Flower of Sin, originating from the core of the Abyss, must grow within the Abyss, preferably in the Sector River," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu explained. "As an Ancestral Pagoda Archon and with my assistance, you have a chance to make the Flower of Sin bloom in fifty thousand years."

Fifty thousand years? Wu Yuan's eyes lit up. If any other True Saint had said this, Wu Yuan would have found it hard to believe. But the one speaking was Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu.

"The refining process is best completed in the Sector River as well. However, how much you ultimately gain depends on your own fortune," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu pointed at Wu Yuan from afar. "Don't resist."

Whoosh~ An invisible wave swept past, and instantly a flood of information appeared in Wu Yuan's mind. It contained everything about the Flower of Sin – how to nurture it, refine it, etc. Everything was there, and in great detail.

So, the method Devil Emperor Xue Gu used was the Blood Sacrifice Devil Array. Wu Yuan quickly confirmed this by observing the array in the blood sea of his internal world.

Among the three cultivation methods, this was the most foolish one. However, after some thought, Wu Yuan understood that given Devil Emperor Xue Gu's power and perspective, being able to figure out one method and put it into practice was already commendable.

Array of Eternal Sin? Essence of the Abyss? Wu Yuan pondered the other two methods. Both seemed quite difficult.

"Eldritch Progenitor, I fear that regardless of the method, it would be difficult to nurture successfully within fifty thousand years," Wu Yuan couldn't help but say. "Even the Blood Sacrifice Devil Array would likely take thirty million years."

"Don't underestimate the Ancestral Pagoda," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled faintly.

"However, relying solely on the Blood Sacrifice Devil Array certainly isn't enough.

"Use the Array of Eternal Sin," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu stood up, finally putting down the object in her hand.

Only then did Wu Yuan see clearly that it was a small object, densely engraved and resembling a human figurine. It emitted a mysterious aura.

"This is the array spirit I just crafted for you. With its help, setting up the Array of Eternal Sin will be very easy," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu pointed at the figurine in her hand and smiled. "But as I said before, I've done my part to help you. If you want this array spirit, you'll have to trade something for it."

"Please speak, Eldritch Progenitor," Wu Yuan said respectfully.

"I'll give you the item first. After the Xuanhuang Cosmiris ends, offer three thousand Xuanhuang merits as payment," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled as she looked at Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

Three thousand Xuanhuang merits? That was equivalent to three mid-grade Xiantian artifacts.

"Eldritch Progenitor, I..." Wu Yuan couldn't help haggling.

"Whether to trade or not, it's up to you," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled.

Wu Yuan was speechless.

After a moment of thought, Wu Yuan solemnly said, "This disciple is willing to pay three thousand Xuanhuang merits."

"Alright. Don’t forget, three thousand Xuanhuang merits after the Xuanhuang Cosmiris ends," Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu smiled and waved lightly.

Whoosh! The figurine in her palm flew out, transforming into a stream of light that vanished into thin air midway.

"This..." Wu Yuan was about to inquire.

"You may leave." As Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu spoke, Wu Yuan felt the scene before his eyes shatter, and this strand of consciousness had already returned to his true self.

On the ancient star.

Hm? Wu Yuan was suddenly shocked to discover that a palm-sized figurine had silently appeared before him at some point.

It was identical to the figurine that Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu was holding in the voidrealm just now.

This? Wu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly, his heart surging with waves of shock and awe.

In the voidrealm, everything was virtual. How could this figurine turn real in an instant?

Moreover, from beginning to end, Wu Yuan's body refiner self had been sitting in lotus position here. Yet he did not notice it at all.

It was worth noting that Wu Yuan was no longer just an Astral Monarch or ordinary Sovereign. In terms of strength and cultivation level, he could already be considered someone at the pinnacle of sempiternal lifeforms.

After pondering for a long time, Wu Yuan sighed inwardly, filled with endless longing.

Is this the peak of Eternals?

Setting aside various thoughts, Wu Yuan turned his gaze to the wood-carved figurine and reached out to touch it gently.

As soon as he made contact, the figurine transformed into a stream of light. Then, light and shadow converged to form the illusory image of a woman in white, which gradually solidified into reality. Finally, a stunningly beautiful young woman in white robes, as ethereal as an immortal, appeared before Wu Yuan.

"Master," the white-robed young woman bowed respectfully.

"You are the array spirit?" Wu Yuan asked softly. "What's your name?"

Wu Yuan had already sensed a vague connection with the white-robed young woman. With that earlier touch, he had imprinted his vital aura onto the figurine.

"Yun Yi," the white-robed young woman respectfully replied. "This is the name I’ve been given by Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, with instructions that it cannot be changed."

Yun Yi? Wu Yuan pondered silently. Logically, there was no need for the Eldritch Progenitor to name a puppet, let alone specifically instruct that it couldn't be changed. Could there be some special significance?

Wu Yuan had no way of knowing.

"Very well, Yun Yi, come with me to the Abyss," Wu Yuan said.

"Wherever Master goes, I shall naturally follow," the white-robed young woman smiled. "When Master wishes to set up the array, you can summon me, and I will assist in the array setup."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly and waved his hand to put Yun Yi away. In essence, Yun Yi was a puppet crafted by Eldritch Progenitor Hou Tu, one extremely skilled in the art of arrays.

The Abyss? I hope everything goes smoothly and the Flower of Sin is successfully nurtured. Wu Yuan thought to himself.

Whoosh! Wu Yuan once again transformed into a stream of light, his body refiner self carrying his ether body and mana body, once more entering the Abyssal Void.

...

Wu Yuan's actions didn't stir any ripples in the boundless megaverse.

Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, over forty thousand years had passed.

The news that the Xuanhuang Cosmiris would open in just over a hundred thousand years had gradually spread throughout the megaverse over the last tens of thousands of years. After all, as it drew near, many True Saints were able to divine the opening time of the Xuanhuang Cosmiris.

And within the Abyss, undercurrents of the search for Devil Emperor Xia still existed, though not as fervent as it was tens of thousands of years ago.

The Sector River which formed the core of the Abyss was vast beyond measure. Here, countless devils were born.

The thirty-six sectors of the Abyss were all centered around the Sector River.

In a region deep within the Sector River.

Being in the Sector River is quite comfortable. A rather powerful Devil Emperor was leisurely strolling through the Sector River, looking down at the countless devils in the depths of the river.

Those newly born members of the Abyssal Devil race were all struggling frantically, just hoping to survive.

Hm? This Devil Emperor was suddenly stunned, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. This? When did the spacetime here become distorted? It was still normal the last time I came.

Is it an array? Who could set up such a grand array so deep into the Sector River? This Devil Emperor was both shocked and puzzled.