Chapter 343: The Sovereign Emperor

Chapter 343: The Sovereign Emperor (End of Volume, Subscription Requested)

Deep within the Xuanhuang Secret Realm, Lin Yuan sat with his legs crossed, a Xuanhuang-colored crystal slowly floating before him.

At this moment, Lin Yuan was just a hair's breadth away from completely refining the core of the secret realm.

It would take him anywhere from half an hour to several days to fully refine it.

Once he did, Lin Yuan would gain control of the Xuanhuang Secret Realm and achieve something that even the most powerful beings craved but couldn't attain.

The peak beings from the main universe's top factions, solitary peak beings, and other twelfth-tier lives all had their eyes on the Xuanhuang Secret Realm.

With each opening of the secret realm, several peak beings would attempt to lock onto its coordinates.

Even those who didn't make a move would keep a close eye on it from the shadows.

Should any variables arise, they could arrive in an instant.

This went to show just how much importance the peak beings attached to the Xuanhuang Secret Realm.

This included the nine peak beings of the human civilization.

This was also why Lin Yuan was reluctant to reveal himself as the new master of the Xuanhuang Secret Realm.

He didn't want to share this information even with the human civilization.

It wasn't that he didn't trust them, but sometimes, keeping certain things hidden could prevent a lot of unwanted trouble.

It would be better to wait until he reached the twelfth tier before announcing it to the world, ensuring there would be no hidden dangers.

"This Xuanhuang Secret Realm isn't an independent and complete world," Lin Yuan murmured as he neared the completion of refining the secret realm's core, his understanding of its essence growing clearer.

The Xuanhuang Secret Realm existed in reliance on the main universe, sharing its time rules.

"The methods of the Sovereign Emperor are truly unimaginable," Lin Yuan marveled after a moment of careful sensation.

Hidden in the depths of countless spatial layers of the main universe, the Xuanhuang Secret Realm was so well-concealed that even peak beings couldn't lock onto its location.

How was this possible?

It was because the Xuanhuang Secret Realm was almost fused as one with the main universe.

It was this fusion that foiled the attempts of those peak beings, using the vastness of the main universe to hide its presence.

With the Sovereign Emperor's capabilities, he could definitely create a complete and independent world.

However, doing so would prevent fusion with the main universe, and it would only be a matter of time before the peak beings locked onto its coordinates.

It was like a black dot appearing on a white piece of paper—it would be easily noticed, no matter how small, because of the stark contrast with its surroundings.

But if you added a white dot to the paper, it would be much harder to spot, especially if it blended seamlessly with the background.

To these twelfth-tier beings, it didn't matter if the Xuanhuang Secret Realm was an independent and complete world or not, as long as they had its coordinates.

"Hmm?"

"I can sense that in an infinitely distant location, there exists another Xuanhuang Secret Realm?" Lin Yuan's heart stirred as he gained insight with the help of the secret realm's core.

There was a certain degree of connection between the Xuanhuang Secret Realms, a sort of resonance.

However, it was just resonance, and each realm was located in a different universe, far too distant for even eleventh-tier beings to cross.

Only peak beings could traverse such distances, and once they gained control of one Xuanhuang Secret Realm, the others held little interest for them.

What attracted peak beings the most to the Xuanhuang Secret Realm was the legacy left behind by the Sovereign Emperor—the three great protective secret techniques.

As for the rest? Some Xuanhuang crystals or ninth- or tenth-tier secret treasures? They weren't worth the effort of crossing countless universes.

"The Xuanhuang evolution path hasn't produced an ultimate existence since the Sovereign Emperor's disappearance," Lin Yuan mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

The Xuanhuang evolution path had an extremely high threshold, making it impossible to spread. Those who wished to make the ultimate leap had to rely on their own capabilities.

In the era of the Sovereign Emperor, there was no concept of spreading one's evolution path.

It was only after the Sovereign Emperor's disappearance that the idea of harnessing the power of the masses to aid in the ultimate leap came about.

Whether or not the Xuanhuang evolution path had produced an ultimate existence didn't concern Lin Yuan.

He had never intended to become a peak being through this evolution path.

To him, the Xuanhuang evolution path was, at most, something to study and draw inspiration from, integrating its essence into himself.

In Lin Yuan's opinion, the Xuanhuang evolution path had too many uncertainties.

For example, what if, after reaching the peak through this evolution path, the Sovereign Emperor suddenly 'returned'? Could there be two ultimates following the same evolution path? What would happen then? Would there be a battle between the two ultimates for dominance?

Would one ultimate become the nourishment for the other?

Of course, the likelihood of such a scenario was minuscule, almost negligible.

The chances of the Sovereign Emperor 'returning' were practically non-existent.

Nonetheless, a potential risk was still a risk.

Lin Yuan had his own evolution path, built from scratch, and he naturally wouldn't choose the former option.

Although his martial evolution path was currently only at the ninth tier, Lin Yuan was confident that with his heaven-defying comprehension talent, he could extend it to the twelfth tier and beyond.

"Continue cultivating the 《Xuanhuang Body》," Lin Yuan said, his right hand flipping over to reveal a fist-sized Xuanhuang crystal, which he then crushed into a powder that he absorbed into his body.

Cultivating the 《Xuanhuang Body》 secret technique didn't require much mental energy.

All Lin Yuan needed to do was continuously activate the 《Xuanhuang Body》 secret technique, absorbing Xuanhuang crystals and various secret treasures.

A rustling sound filled the air as the fist-sized Xuanhuang crystal was completely absorbed.

Lin Yuan then produced another one with a flip of his hand.

"This 《Xuanhuang Body》 really consumes a lot," Lin Yuan sighed inwardly.

In the past five years, the amount of Xuanhuang crystals he had consumed just for cultivating this secret technique would amount to over ten million units of universe crystals when converted.

Ten million units of universe crystals were equivalent to the entire fortune of a ninth-tier expert with a millionfold realm.

Yet, in Lin Yuan's hands, it had only lasted for five years.

Of course,

The results were well worth the expenditure.

Lin Yuan's 《Xuanhuang Body》 had not yet reached the minor achievement level, but the strength of his physical body had already doubled.

It was important to note that Lin Yuan's physical body, amplified by the mysterious gourd, was already nearly twenty times stronger than that of a typical cultivator at the same level.

On top of that twenty-fold base, Lin Yuan had increased his strength by another twofold. With this, he felt that his physical body alone, empowered by the boundless Qi and blood energy, would be enough to pierce through countless spatial layers and suppress or create millions of them, rivaling even special ninth-tier experts.

The amplification of physical strength was just one aspect.

After cultivating the 《Xuanhuang Body》, the body's innate ability to circulate energy would extend an aura called the 'Protective Xuanhuang Light'.

While this aura was not as powerful as the 'Elemental Body', which granted direct immunity to 90% of attacks of the same level...

As long as the Protective Xuanhuang Light remained intact, Lin Yuan would not suffer any harm. Whether it was physical, rule-based, or even more mysterious attacks, they would all be blocked by the Protective Xuanhuang Light.

The Protective Xuanhuang Light, Blood Rebirth, Elemental Body, and the Source Bell.

These were Lin Yuan's four major defensive measures at present.

Of course, the Source Bell was with his true body, but even relying on the former three, Lin Yuan's defense was already close to the pinnacle of the ninth tier.

It was estimated that even a typical tenth-tier powerhouse would struggle to breach Lin Yuan's defenses.

Virtual World.

Lin Yuan was chatting with his parents.

"By the way, Xiao Yuan, Yiyi is getting married," Mother Lu Qiong immediately shared the good news with Lin Yuan.

"Lin Yi is getting married?" Lin Yuan was slightly surprised. "So soon?"

Previously, he had indeed heard that his sister had been dating a boy, and the two got along well, but he didn't expect things to progress so quickly that they were already discussing marriage.

"What do you mean, so soon?"

"She's already in her nineties."

"And you, Xiao Yuan, are over a hundred years old."

Mother Lu Qiong rolled her eyes at the mention of Lin Yuan's age.

"I'm over a hundred years old," Lin Yuan said, his mind suddenly realizing.

Evolvers had long lifespans. Even first and second-tier evolvers could easily live for hundreds or thousands of years with the help of biotechnology.

But his parents had been ordinary people before, regular citizens of the human civilization who could generally live up to two hundred years. Getting married in their nineties was considered 'late' by those standards.

"Is Lin Yi's boyfriend from the Xia family?" Lin Yuan asked.

"Yes, Xiao Xia is honest and reliable. Yiyi will definitely have a good life with him," Mother Lu Qiong said with a smile.

"Honest?"

"Reliable?"

Lin Yuan remained silent.

The Xia family was a major family in the human civilization, officially known as the 'Human Xia Family'. They had a history of producing citizens of the eighth grade and above, and this generation even had an eleventh-tier powerhouse.

Being born into such a family, it was unlikely for someone to be truly honest and sincere.

Moreover, the fact that he was able to marry Lin Yi might very well be due to 'political reasons', with the ultimate goal being to forge a connection with Lin Yi's brother, Lin Yuan himself.

However, Lin Yuan didn't mind. At his level, he was already the focus of countless forces, and the idea of finding a quiet and peaceful romance was simply unrealistic.

Furthermore, the Human Xia Family had always maintained a good reputation, and marrying Lin Yi would mean that his parents would have a powerful backer should anything happen to him in the future.

"Let Lin Yi's boyfriend come and meet me," Lin Yuan said after a moment of thought.

Usually, he would be too lazy to meet people from other forces as it tended to be troublesome and complicated.

But since it concerned his sister's marriage, Lin Yuan decided to take an interest.

Soon.

In less than ten minutes.

A handsome young man appeared alongside Lin Yi.

"Big brother," Lin Yi smiled brightly and called out.

"Xia Kefei, I pay my respects to the Galaxy Master," the handsome young man beside her said nervously.

As a direct descendant of the Human Xia Family, Xia Kefei had the confidence to face seventh and eighth-tier evolvers, but the Galaxy Master?

Before he started dating Lin Yi, the eleventh-tier elder of the Xia family had personally summoned him and repeatedly warned him that if he was just playing around, he must not choose the Galaxy Master's sister.

With the myriad of women in the human civilization, and even many female aliens to choose from, the Xia family would not care about such a relationship.

But when it came to the Galaxy Master's sister, they must not cause any negative impact.

Otherwise, it would bring about destructive consequences for the Xia family.

Their eleventh-tier elder's caution made Xia Kefei fully aware of the true weight and influence of the Galaxy Master.

"Xia Kefei?" Lin Yuan smiled faintly. "Your Xia family has made great contributions to the human civilization."

"Those are all things of the past," Xia Kefei quickly said, without a hint of arrogance.

Although Xia Kefei was from the Xia family, he had received a good education from a young age and did not give off an air of conceit.

"Lin Yi may not be as outstanding as the offspring of your evolutionary great families, but after you two are married, I hope she won't suffer any grievances," Lin Yuan said with a smile.

Under Lin Yuan's gaze, Xia Kefei felt an intangible pressure, and even with the virtual world as a buffer, his heart trembled.

"I will treat Yiyi well," Xia Kefei assured him.

At the same time, he thought to himself: "The feeling I get from the Galaxy Master is similar to that of the elder. No wonder the elder told me to be cautious when it comes to Yiyi."

He pursued Lin Yi because he genuinely liked her, but he had also considered the Galaxy Master.

If he didn't truly like her, the eleventh-tier elder of the Xia family would never have allowed him to continue his relationship with Lin Yi.

A powerhouse like the Galaxy Master might not have 'mind-reading abilities', but seeing through someone's heart was simple.

If he didn't like Lin Yi but still married her, it would first and foremost incite the Galaxy Master's dislike.

Therefore, even if the Xia family desperately wanted to establish a connection with the Galaxy Master, they would be extremely cautious in their choice and would not make any mistakes.

"Big brother, Kefei really likes me," Lin Yi quickly added.

"I know," Lin Yuan nodded.

Through their brief interaction, Lin Yuan could sense that Xia Kefei's feelings for Lin Yi were genuine.

However, emotions were fickle by nature, and as her brother, he felt it was necessary to give Xia Kefei a reminder and a warning.

The venue was in the Virtual World, and numerous guests from various factions of Human Civilization rushed to attend.

Not only was one of the newlyweds the sister of the Galaxy Master, but the Human Xia family also had a far-reaching influence, making this a powerful alliance between two influential families.

"The direct lineage of the Human Xia family marrying the sister of the Galaxy Master, one with boundless potential, and the other a longstanding influential force. This marriage is truly enviable."

"The Xia family has really hit the jackpot, actually forming a connection with the Galaxy Master."

The guests in attendance kept discussing the matter.

With the news of the Galaxy Master's presence in the Xuanhuang Secret Realm spreading, even a fool could see the potential of the Galaxy Master, who was at least predicted to reach the eleventh tier.

The greatest genius in the history of Human Civilization, slaughtering eighth-tier opponents as easily as chickens when he was at the eighth tier himself, and doing the same to special ninth-tier beings at the ninth tier.

Such an extraordinary figure would undoubtedly receive the full support of Human Civilization, and would very likely have the opportunity to strive for the pinnacle of power.

Once successfully becoming one of the pinnacle beings, the Human Xia family, as the in-laws, would rise to prominence overnight.

Of course, reaching the pinnacle was no easy feat, but even if one couldn't attain the twelfth tier, they would still be a future peak eleventh-tier being.

For the Xia family, there was no possibility of loss.

And that was why the guests present felt that the Xia family had struck a great bargain.

On the surface, the Galaxy Master was only at the ninth tier, while the Human Xia family had an eleventh-tier cultivator.

However, countless families with the Human prefix had wanted to associate with the Galaxy Master, but it was the Xia family that took the initiative.

Lin Yuan chatted casually with the senior brothers of the Chi Kun lineage.

"Our teacher is in seclusion, trying to break through to the ninth tier?" Lin Yuan nodded.

At Lin Yi's wedding, Teacher Chi Kun, the Star Master, was absent because he was in seclusion.

Seclusion during a crucial breakthrough was especially important, requiring undivided attention.

In fact, Chi Kun had already started his seclusion over twenty years ago. It was common for eighth-tier cultivators to seclude themselves for decades or even centuries, especially when it came to major realm breakthroughs.

"I wonder if Teacher will be able to successfully enter the ninth tier," the various peak masters of the Chi Kun lineage said worriedly.

The transition from the eighth tier to the ninth tier was a leap from a single-space life form to a multi-space life form. It may have seemed effortless for Lin Yuan, but in reality, completing this transition was no simple task.

If one could complete the fusion of the pillar rules and ordinary rules, breaking through to the ninth tier would be a natural progression. However, Chi Kun's seclusion was aimed at perfecting the final step of this fusion.

As for the last step of advancing from the eighth tier to the ninth tier, as long as the prerequisite conditions were met, there would be minimal risk and unexpected issues.

"There definitely won't be any problems," Lin Yuan said confidently.

Chi Kun's true body was the Star Sea Kun, a favorite of the main universe's spatial origin, with a profound understanding of spatial rules. In terms of fusing spatial rules with fire rules, he shouldn't encounter any major bottlenecks.

"There's the Galaxy Master."

"The Galaxy Master usually stays in the Galaxy Main Star. It's rare to see him here."

"Finally, I get to see the Galaxy Master in person."

One by one, the guests turned their attention to Lin Yuan, while the Xia family didn't garner much interest.

The Xia family had a significant influence, and its prominent figures often appeared in public, so most people had already met them.

On the other hand, the Galaxy Master had risen to prominence too quickly and too spectacularly, and many cultivators longed for an opportunity to meet him.

"My family's elder said that after the Galaxy Master reaches the tenth tier, he will attain the Grade B tenth tier within a few hundred years or even a thousand years, and will reach the Grade A tenth tier within five thousand years."

"My goodness, that's terrifying!"

A few guests widened their eyes, aware of the might of the Grade B tenth tier, let alone the Grade A tenth tier? Many tenth-tier cultivators trained for tens or even hundreds of thousands of years, yet they remained at the Grade D or Grade C.

But the Galaxy Master would effortlessly attain the Grade A tenth tier?

A Grade A tenth-tier cultivator was a formidable figure, even on large alien battlefields. In situations where eleventh-tier beings didn't make a move, a powerful Grade A tenth-tier cultivator could influence the outcome of a local battlefield.

"I don't even know when I'll reach the seventh tier, and you're already discussing when the Galaxy Master will reach the Grade A tenth tier."

"Hey, we're all humans, but why is the Galaxy Master's talent so much stronger than ours? I heard that the Galaxy Master's bloodline is quite ordinary?"

More cultivators felt a pang of jealousy, as they were probably still stumbling at the first or second tier when they were the Galaxy Master's age, but the Galaxy Master had already risen to prominence.

At the wedding.

Lin Yuan was chatting casually.

Just then.

Lin Yuan's expression stirred slightly.

He looked up in a certain direction.

At that moment, the Sun Divine Soul, located in the Xuanhuang Secret Realm, had completely refined the core of the secret realm.

Buzz!

Within the Xuanhuang Secret Realm.

Lin Yuan sat with his legs crossed, the yellowish-brown secret realm core spinning before him and merging into his brow.

In an instant.

Lin Yuan's consciousness began to soar infinitely, observing every detail of the Xuanhuang Secret Realm from a higher-level perspective.

At that moment, Lin Yuan was like a creator god of the Xuanhuang Secret Realm, watching over everything that happened within it.

The ninth-tier aliens and human cultivators in the secret realm were unaware, but the indigenous life forms of the secret realm sensed something.

"Oaoao~~~"

"Roar~~~"

On the three continents, countless powerful indigenous life forms knelt on the ground, their expressions respectful as they showed their submission.

The Sovereign Emperor reigns supreme!

(End of Volume)

(Next Volume: Tenth Tier)

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end