Yuan’s Ascension

"Daoist Kou Lei?" Zhuo Haiyue furrowed her brow slightly.

"You are allowing us to leave now?" Wu Yuan was equally taken aback.

There were still ten billion li left before they entered the Core Region. Although the danger level would be lower after entering this branch path according to the intelligence, it would still be extremely perilous for Kou Lei to venture forth alone.

"I won't be attempting this opportunity. The Spacetime Labyrinth is tempting, but my strength is hardly top-tier among High Immortals. Even if I made it inside, I'd unlikely obtain any treasures. I'd rather focus on completing this Dao Master-level Mission first," Kou Lei said with a smile.

"However, if you two accompany me for the remaining ten billion li before turning back, it would cost you an extra day at least. You might miss your chance.

You should hurry on ahead. With your talents and abilities, you may be able to acquire treasures from the Spacetime Labyrinth," Kou Lei smiled. "As for the mission?"

Instantly, Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue received a notification from the Spacetime Immortal Voidrealm: "Sovereign-level escort mission completed."

At the same time, they also received a transfer of 200,000 divine crystals from Kou Lei, which could be used to purchase treasures from the Spacetime Treasure Hall.

"Daoist Kou Lei, are you certain you don't need us to accompany you?" Wu Yuan asked in a low voice.

"It's not necessary," Kou Lei shook his head. "If I can't even make it through this final stretch with my abilities, then entering the Core Region would surely mean certain death."

Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue exchanged a glance. Clearly, Kou Lei had thought this through carefully.

"Then you have our thanks."

"We’ll be leaving first." Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue were decisive individuals. Without further hesitation, they swiftly transformed into two streaks of light and flew to a higher ice sheet, rushing toward the source of the fluctuations they had sensed earlier.

These two are both monstrous prodigies. It's worth cultivating a good relationship with them when there's a chance. This may prove beneficial in the future. Kou Lei mused to himself.

If not for witnessing the terrifying strength of Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue firsthand, he wouldn't have bothered to do them this favor.

From here on out, I'll have to rely on myself. Kou Lei transformed into a streak of light and continued along the branch crevasse of the ice sheet toward his mission destination.

…

Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue flew through the ice sheet. More accurately, Zhuo Haiyue carried Wu Yuan as they flew. In terms of flight speed alone, Zhuo Haiyue was far faster.

If Wu Yuan had comprehended the Law of Space to the fifth or sixth-level True Intent stage, his flight speed might not have been slower than Zhuo Haiyue's, perhaps even faster. Unfortunately, Wu Yuan had only cultivated to the second-level True Intent stage, so naturally there was still a long way to go.

"I never expected the two of us to team up to attempt the Spacetime Labyrinth. It's quite an opportunity," Zhuo Haiyue's voice echoed in Wu Yuan's mind. "Historically, many imprint bearers never even had the chance to challenge it."

"Indeed, it is unexpected," Wu Yuan replied, his body wrapped in layers of electric power as the two traveled at near light speed through the ice sheet.

"However, it's just as you said back on the Redmoon Immortal Continent – that you would invite me to go on expeditions together when necessary," Wu Yuan said with a faint smile. "Now, it seems that promise has been fulfilled."

Zhuo Haiyue said nothing more.

Neither asked if the other was willing to make the attempt. There was no need – the determination in their eyes said it all.

Though the Dao Realm was vast, the Spacetime Labyrinth was one of the greatest opportunities accessible to imprint bearers. How could they bear to miss it? When it was time to take risks, they naturally had to do so.

"Let's get up to speed on the situation first," Wu Yuan said.

Their true selves on the Spacetime Island immediately began gathering relevant intelligence. In addition to information about the Spacetime Labyrinth from the database, they also learned about the current situation in the Snow Devil Cave.

As time passed, Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue exchanged information, gradually clarifying the current state of affairs.

The Spacetime Labyrinth had first appeared at least ten days ago, but its emergence was a gradual process. As time passed, the impact and fluctuations it produced would grow stronger and stronger. And when it finally fully manifested, terrifying fluctuations would sweep across nearly half of the Snowlight Mist Realm. It would affect a region of at least tens of thousands of light years.

It was worth noting that among all the imprint bearers on the Spacetime Island, at least ten thousand regularly ventured into the Snowlight Mist Realm to explore when not on missions. There were at least dozens of imprint bearers in the Snow Devil Cave alone. So the news was bound to spread eventually.

"The Snowlight Mist Realm has its rules. Astral Monarchs and Sovereigns cannot enter," Wu Yuan transmitted. "But there are quite a few Astral Lords from the nine major factions of the Dao Realm who have come to explore it. Some powerful imprint bearers are also on their way.

The powerhouses already in the Snow Devil Cave have the greatest advantage," Wu Yuan continued. "If we wait for those Astral Lords and powerful imprint bearers to arrive, our chances will be slim. If they guard the entrance to the vortex, we'll have great difficulty getting in."

Zhuo Haiyue nodded slightly.

That was correct. Though they were monstrous prodigies, they were still far from the level of Astral Lords. Their greatest advantage now was their proximity.

Though Astral Lords were powerful, most were exploring the Core Region. Even after receiving the news, it would take time for them to reach the Snow Devil Cave.

"Let's advance at full speed," Wu Yuan transmitted. "As long as we work together, the two of us should be able to fight our way into the passage."

"Mm." Zhuo Haiyue suddenly smiled and said, "What if we encounter each other inside the Spacetime Labyrinth?"

In previous emergences of the Spacetime Labyrinth, many strong individuals had entered, but only a tiny fraction ever managed to obtain treasures. Competition between them was the norm.

"We'll each rely on our own abilities," Wu Yuan smiled. "Before your rise to prominence, I was the number one genius of the divine court headquarters. But we've never truly faced each other in combat. I'm quite curious to exchange pointers with you."

"Very well." A glint of fighting spirit flashed in Zhuo Haiyue's eyes.

She and Wu Yuan were friends in name and had grown to trust each other more as they cooperated to slay enemies in the Snowlight Mist Realm over the past few days. But this did not dampen the competitive spirit in both their hearts. They each had full confidence in themselves.

"Let's hurry there first."

…

In the Core Region of the Snowlight Mist Realm.

"The Spacetime Labyrinth has actually emerged! Haha, I've waited in the Snowlight Mist Realm for over a million years. Finally, the day has come. I must go!" A bald figure clad entirely in golden robes walked through the air.

He swiftly made his way towards the Inner Region.

…

"If I abandon a Sovereign-level Mission, a hundred spacetime points will be deducted.

But if I obtain treasures from the Spacetime Labyrinth, the gains may be worth more than completing several Dao Master-level Missions. " A black-robed figure was rapidly approaching from another direction in the Snowlight Mist Realm.

…

"Teleport to the Snowlight Mist Realm, destination: Frost Mist Sea." On the Spacetime Island, powerful imprint bearers were attempting to teleport in.

News of the Spacetime Labyrinth's emergence was now common knowledge. The powerhouses already exploring the Snowlight Mist Realm began rushing over, and some powerful imprint bearers on the Spacetime Island, as well as top-tier geniuses and Astral Lords from the nine major factions of the Dao Realm, all hurried to arrive after receiving the news.

Of course, it would still take these individuals quite some time to get there.

…

In an ice sheet.

"Get out of the way!" A fierce shout rang out. Vast, rolling lightning flashed, blasting apart a large group of snow devils, sending some flying while others exploded into pieces.

Zhuo Haiyue, carrying Wu Yuan, fought their way through hundreds of snow devils and continued fleeing towards the more distant ice sheets.

When facing snow devils, engaging in intense combat was the most foolish option. Fighting them yielded no benefits.

"Haiyue, your attacks are truly devastating," Wu Yuan sincerely marveled.

The Law of Thunder might seem inferior to Time, Space and the six special Greater Laws, but as a Greater Law itself, the gap wasn't so extreme. They were still of the same level, naturally possessing their own unique qualities.

It looked like an ordinary lightning arcane art. Yet in Zhuo Haiyue's hands, those bolts of lightning transformed from mundane to miraculous. Their power was unfathomable.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but marvel. In terms of arcane art mastery, he admitted he was no match for Zhuo Haiyue.

"Thunder! It represents judgment," Zhuo Haiyue only responded faintly.

…

Though it was just Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue joining forces, their speed did not slow compared to when they were a team of three. Though they encountered many dangers, they were able to overcome them one by one.

In just two days, they had already reached the source of those vast spacetime fluctuations.

Standing a great distance away, they were deeply shocked by the scene before them.

A massive, ocean-like ice vortex approximately a hundred million li in diameter, with countless icebergs bobbing up and down within it came into view. The entire ice vortex cut through numerous ice sheets, as if it had torn these ice sheets apart. It was heart-stopping!

And at the center of the ice vortex stood a majestic divine temple about ten thousand li tall, yet seemingly existing across infinite spacetime, as if realities were overlapping. It was indescribably bizarre.

"The Spacetime Labyrinth?" Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue instantly confirmed.

Even separated by billions of li, they could feel the vast, ancient aura emanating from that majestic divine temple at a glance, as if it could crush one's breath.

Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue stopped about a million li away from the ice vortex, not daring to proceed rashly.

They had already sensed numerous powerful auras lingering in different ice sheet passages that led to the ice vortex. The majority were High Immortals, with only a rare few Archimmortals and Archdeities. Within their range of perception, they could already sense over a hundred auras.

"Earth Immortals?"

"Two Earth Immortals dare to challenge the Spacetime Labyrinth? Are they courting death?" Naturally, some powerful beings had noticed Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue's approach.

"Fools! Two Earth Immortals who can navigate the Snow Devil Cave? Would they be ordinary Earth Immortals? Use your brains."

"Ignore them. Two Earth Immortals, no matter how monstrous, won't be able to break through." The many High Immortals and even Archimmortals conversed among themselves. None paid much attention to Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue.

"Earlier intelligence said powerhouses were blocking the entrances to the Spacetime Labyrinth," Wu Yuan transmitted mentally. "But now it seems the situation has changed. No one is blocking the way, so why aren't these High Immortals and Archimmortals attempting to enter?"

"Let's observe for now," replied Zhuo Haiyue.

The two refrained from rash action, realizing that with the ice vortex spanning a hundred million li in diameter, even powerful beings couldn't easily obstruct everyone from entering.

Boom! Boom! Three formidable auras surged through Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue's ice sheet passage, rapidly closing in. They were three High Immortals acting in concert.

Someone's coming? Wu Yuan frowned. An ice sheet passage was only so large; the two groups were bound to collide.

That was unless Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue plunged directly into the ice vortex.

"Two Earth Immortals? You dare block our path? Move aside if you don't want to die." An angry shout echoed through the passage.

A stream of flame erupted, hurtling towards them.

The three High Immortals charged forward, their speed undiminished, clearly not considering Wu Yuan and Zhuo Haiyue worthy opponents.

Normally, a single arcane art from a High Immortal would be enough to annihilate two Earth Immortals.

"Seeking death." Zhuo Haiyue's eyes instantly turned cold.

Zhuo Haiyue stood her ground, deploying her domain without hesitation. Terrifying bolts of lightning burst forth, twisting and shattering the ice in their path. Vast lightning coalesced into writhing dragons.

Hiss! The lightning clashed with the flame stream, instantly annihilating it!

Zhuo Haiyue's lightning domain could weaken even an Archimmortal's arcane arts to some degree, let alone those of a High Immortal.

Boom! Zhuo Haiyue’s body transformed into a bolt of lightning as she streaked hundreds of thousands of li forth, her domain expanding simultaneously.

"Roar!"

"Roar!" The terrifying lightning dragons unleashed their strength, sweeping across the sky and striking everything in their path.

"This is bad."

"This is an Earth Immortal?"

"We're finished." The three initially confident High Immortals were instantly dumbfounded. Despite their desperate struggles against the ferocious, terrifying assault, they were swept away by the savage lightning dragons after just two clashes.

Not one survived; all were slain.

Whoosh! With a wave, Zhuo Haiyue swiftly collected the artifacts left behind by the three High Immortals.

This scene shocked the many High Immortals and Archimmortals in other ice sheets who sensed the battle.

"A Sixth Tribulation High Immortal?"

"An Earth Immortal capable of such power?"

"Where did they pop out from?" These High Immortals and Archimmortals grew wary. Such a monstrous prodigy likely possessed some hidden trump cards.

Many gazes swept over to Wu Yuan in the distance. If they came as a pair, and one Earth Immortal was this strong, how weak could the other possibly be?

"Haiyue, an Archimmortal is attempting to enter the ice vortex. Let's watch," Wu Yuan suddenly transmitted.

Both turned their gazes toward the ice vortex.

An Archimmortal, seemingly unable to restrain himself any longer, was plunging into the ice vortex.