Yuan’s Ascension

The final gambit? Imperial Majesty Da Yan and Imperial Majesty Lei Fu both felt their hearts drum nervously, a flicker of hesitation passing through their minds.

A single word echoed in their thoughts—flee!

They both knew all too well that if they continued this war, even if they managed to kill Hou Feng against all odds, their chances of ultimate victory against the overwhelmingly powerful Huanggu eldritch race would be slim without Heavenly Pillar Mountain.

The eldritch race would not make the same mistake twice, allowing them to establish the Thirty-Three Heavens once more.

Yet neither Imperial Majesty Da Yan nor Imperial Majesty Lei Fu spoke up, for one simple reason—they couldn't bear to give up!

It was much like how many merchants, when faced with a failing business, knew that the wisest choice was to cut their losses and leave. Yet most will cling on until bankruptcy, even resorting to high-interest loans to keep operations afloat. Why? They simply couldn’t bring themselves to admit defeat!

The three Imperial Majesties now found themselves in a similar predicament.

"Fleeing beyond the heavens leads to an unknown future, with life and death hanging in the balance," Imperial Majesty Nan You said in a low voice. "We might as well make one last stand.

Let us cast aside these ideals. Perhaps, we may yet turn the tide," Imperial Majesty Nan You continued.

"Elder Brother, should we summon the other High Immortals and Heavenly Masters?" Imperial Majesty Lei Fu suddenly asked. "If we could lead a large force of High Immortals and Heavenly Masters, our chances of slaying Hou Feng are high as long as the eldritch race hasn't set too many traps."

The beast battle arrays led by Heavenly Masters were indeed formidable. Even if they couldn't kill Wu Yuan, they could at least occupy the other High Eldritches.

"No! Apart from Heavenly Masters Lei Guang and Jiu Zhu, as well as High Immortal Wu Zong, do not summon anyone else. We must keep this information strictly confidential," Imperial Majesty Nan You said calmly.

Imperial Majesty Lei Fu was momentarily taken aback.

"Second Brother, Big Brother is right," Imperial Majesty Da Yan interjected. "We cannot rely on anyone else this time.

Since the last immortal-eldritch war ended, the situation has been extremely unfavorable for our immortal race. How can we be certain those Heavenly Masters and High Immortals haven't secretly defected to the eldritch race?" Imperial Majesty Da Yan said softly.

"If we summon too many people, we may have a stronger force, however, our plans might also be leaked immediately. A situation originally free of ambushes might end up riddled with traps set by the eldritch race," Imperial Majesty Da Yan looked towards Imperial Majesty Lei Fu.

"They dare betray us?" Imperial Majesty Lei Fu's eyes flashed with anger.

Faint traces of lightning crackled around his body as his fury blazed. "It was because of us that they were freed from enslavement by the eldritch race, and now they would turn their backs on us?"

"Second Brother, don't be naive," Imperial Majesty Nan You said in a low voice.

"Second Brother, back when we were powerful, they were willing to join us. Now that we appear to be losing and the eldritch race grows strong, it's only natural for some to have second thoughts," Imperial Majesty Da Yan said impassively.

"Moreover, others have the choice to surrender, and even the Heavenly Masters might be pardoned by the eldritch race. But this option is not open to us. The eldritch race will not give us that chance," Imperial Majesty Da Yan said with a faint smile.

Ministers may surrender, but never the Sovereign.

Furthermore, after years of warfare, countless powerful beings of the eldritch race harbored a deep, unquenchable hatred for the three Imperial Majesties, longing to devour their very flesh.

"Heavenly Master Lei Guang, Heavenly Master Jiu Zhu, and High Immortal Wu Zong all have deep, irreconcilable grudges against the eldritch race—hatred that all the water under heaven could not wash away," Imperial Majesty Da Yan said. "Thus, they alone can be trusted.

However, we must still be cautious. We cannot reveal our target to them until the moment of action, only informing them when we are close."

"Agreed," Imperial Majesty Nan You nodded.

Time flowed on.

Soon after, the two Heavenly Masters and High Immortal Wu Zong swiftly arrived. Without much discussion, they entered the Creation Divine Weapons.

"It's time to depart."

"Lei Fu, we will be primarily relying on you in this battle," Imperial Majesty Nan You said. "The essence of my divine cauldron has been greatly depleted and hasn't fully recovered. Da Yan's injuries are even more severe, and his wounds have yet to heal.

You alone still possess your full strength. When you unleash your power, you can briefly manifest unprecedented might," Imperial Majesty Nan You said.

"Understood." Imperial Majesty Lei Fu naturally understood this point. His eyes blazed with battle intent, equally eager to slay Wu Yuan.

Back then, when the three Imperial Majesties fought against Eldritch Deity Zhu Jiu, they had only gained the upper hand instead of defeating him. That was because they hadn't fully unleashed the essence contained within the Creation Divine Weapons, reserving it for potential dangers. Once unleashed, their power would undoubtedly be earth-shattering.

Silently, the mightiest group of powerhouses in the immortal race left the Thirty-Three Heavens of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, embarking on this battle that would determine the destiny of the immortal race.

Victory would give the immortal race a faint glimmer of hope, while defeat would surely mean Huanggu would fall under the dominion of the eldritch race.

To ensure their plans remained secret, the three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race chose not to inform the numerous High Immortals and Earth Immortals.

It was worth noting that barely a hundred years had passed since the last great eldritch-immortal war. The three Imperial Majesties of the immortal race had been in seclusion, recuperating from their wounds. There hadn't been time to restore the lower seventeen heavens.

All the remaining members of the immortal race now dwelled in the eighteenth heaven and above, believing themselves safe under the protection of the three Imperial Majesties, at least for the time being.

How could they have imagined that the three Imperial Majesties would make such a resolute decision, completely abandoning their stronghold – the Creation Divine Hall and Heavenly Pillar Mountain – to focus all their efforts on killing Hou Feng?

The target was less than eight billion li away. With Imperial Majesty Lei Fu's speed, it would take only a few to traverse the distance.

…

The previously calm void trembled slightly as six figures appeared. At the forefront were three figures clad in imperial robes.

Standing to either side of them were Heavenly Master Lei Guang, Heavenly Master Jiu Zhu, and the most mysterious High Immortal of the immortal race, Wu Zong.

"With the ancient mirror concealing our auras, and High Immortal Wu Zong suppressing the spatial fluctuations, we've managed to arrive here without causing much disturbance," Imperial Majesty Lei Fu said with a smile.

"It’s all thanks to the skills of the three Imperial Majesties," Heavenly Master Lei Guang smiled. Lightning also flickered around his body, as he too comprehended the Thunder Dao like Imperial Majesty Lei Fu. However, his vital aura was noticeably weaker.

"With all three Imperial Majesties present for the battle, we must strike down the eldritch race's Hou Feng in one fell swoop," Heavenly Master Jiu Zhu added. His body was covered in feathers, clearly indicating his true form was that of a bird.

High Immortal Wu Zong remained silent, saying nothing. In terms of direct combat ability, she was the weakest among the six present.

"Third Brother, how much farther?" Imperial Majesty Nan You asked.

"The closer we get, the more accurately I can perceive his location. It's not far now, just atop a mountain peak about a million li away," Imperial Majesty Da Yan said in a low voice. "However, we are currently concealing our soul auras and spatial fluctuations. If we get any closer, we'll likely be detected."

For High Immortals and High Eldritches, it was quite normal for their Soul Will to extend for tens of millions of li. Perceiving everything in a hundred million li radius through the Voidspace was commonplace for High Immortals.

Naturally, sensing the world through the Voidspace could allow one to cover an immense area, but it had significant limitations and could be easily obstructed.

Soul Will perception was harder to obstruct, but maintaining a constant scan of one’s surroundings with Soul Will was extremely taxing on the spirit.

"A million li? That distance is sufficient for us to deploy our techniques. There's no need to worry about potential ambushes now. This is the most crucial battle, after all," Imperial Majesty Nan You said softly. "Wu Zong, conceal yourself in the void and look for an opportunity to strike."

"Understood," High Immortal Wu Zong finally nodded.

With a flicker of movement, she merged into the void, all traces of her presence erased.

"Third Brother, you should also use the ancient mirror to conceal your aura. Try to remain in place and avoid revealing yourself unnecessarily. Strike at the critical moment, and if things go awry, withdraw immediately," Imperial Majesty Nan You instructed.

Imperial Majesty Da Yan nodded slightly. Among the three Imperial Majesties, he was the weakest in terms of direct combat prowess.

"Second Brother, from here on out, it's all up to you," Imperial Majesty Nan You looked at Imperial Majesty Lei Fu, who nodded in response.

"Rest assured, Big Brother."

All eyes turned to Imperial Majesty Lei Fu. His vital aura began to surge relentlessly, while streams of lightning flowed across his arms, shoulders, legs, and head. The interweaving lightning made for a terrifying sight.

After a while, an enormous sphere of light materialized above Imperial Majesty Lei Fu's head. Within the sphere, flashes of lightning crackled, containing an immense power that made one's heart tremble.

This power was so formidable that even Heavenly Master Lei Guang and Heavenly Master Jiu Zhu, standing nearby, felt their hearts quake as they watched. It was far too frightening.

They all knew that Imperial Majesty Lei Fu was combining his Creation Divine Weapon with his own arcane arts, preparing to unleash an attack of unimaginable might.