Chapter 968, The Tenth Realm

Translator:  Ashish

Translation Checker: Silavin

 

‘The body itself as a world!’ This was the path Yu Zi Yu had chosen.

 

Or rather, one of the few paths that could further unearth his potential and push him beyond his current limits.

 

Long ago, the infamous Taoist Xue Hai(Blood Sea), whose power shook an entire era, followed a similar path.

 

He transformed his body into a world, unearthing his potential even deeper. When he broke through to the Sixth Order of Tier-6, the endless Blood Sea became the renowned Great World of Blood.

 

This was the true secret—a method so rare that even among the Myriad Races, scarcely anyone knew of it.

 

Now, without anyone to guide him, Yu Zi Yu was inadvertently treading the same path as Taoist Xue Hai.

 

Using his body as the seed, he nurtured a world within himself. Thus, he began the creation of his Tenth Realm.

 

The Nine Realms served as the foundation for his Divine Abilities, while the Tenth Realm would propel his physical body to evolve once again.

 

By cultivating the Tenth Realm to perfection, Yu Zi Yu could one day step into Tier-6, Seventh Order, paving the way to birth his first Great World.

 

Why were those at Tier-6 Seventh Order capable of rivaling the rulers who wielded the Principles? Because they were worlds, and the world was them.

 

This was the essence of the ancient path.

 

It was said that tens of eras ago, countless mighty beings followed this path, continually evolving themselves and manifesting countless realms across the universe.

 

However, sadly…

 

While this ancient path was formidable—granting near-invincibility against those of the same Tier—proving their Dao and becoming a Hegemon was an exceedingly arduous task.

 

Thus, a new path was devised by later generations: carrying the Principles.

 

But, as with all things, gains come with losses. Those who carried the Principles and reached the Realm of Hegemony—even if they achieved Eternity—remained bound by the confines of the universe.

 

When an era reset, such beings, no matter how powerful, were ultimately laid to rest.

 

The ancient path, however, was different.

 

Should one persistently explore their potential before reaching the Realm of Hegemony, and achieved Eternity, even the destruction of an era could not erase them, nor could Heaven obliterate their existence.

 

This was the essence of true Immortality.

 

And such beings? Across countless eras, not one had ever existed.

 

Not a single one! And that was the harsh and cruel reality.

 

…

 

*Haaaaa…* Yu Zi Yu let out a long, deep breath. Having completed his breakthrough, a wave of exhilaration washed over him.

 

Now, he had officially stepped into the Sixth Order of Tier-6. He could be called a Half-Step Hegemon.

 

Moreover, he was not just an ordinary Half-Step Hegemon. Yu Zi Yu was now capable of overwhelming his foes purely through strength.

 

His lips curled into a grin as excitement coursed through him.

 

An indescribable force surged through his body—this was the power of the Sixth Order. A body that was a world unto itself, a seed nurturing an entire Realm.

 

Though it was but a Small World for now, Yu Zi Yu was satisfied.

 

After all, as this Small World continued to grow… the day it evolved into a Great World would be the day he ascended to the Seventh Order.

 

As a matter of fact, given his experience nurturing the Nine Realms, Yu Zi Yu’s Tenth Realm would grow at an extraordinary speed.

 

Even more terrifying was that Yu Zi Yu could draw upon the power of the Nine Realms to supplement the Tenth Realm.

 

What did this mean? It meant that whether it took decades or just a few years, Yu Zi Yu could bring the Tenth Realm to its peak far faster than anyone could imagine.

 

Yu Zi Yu was overwhelmed with joy, so much so that he could not suppress his emotions.

 

After all, in the not-so-distant future, he would undergo another transformation, gaining the power to rival Hegemons. How could he not be thrilled?

 

Moreover, when that time came, his strength wouldn’t be just that of an ordinary Hegemon.

 

Long ago, when the Taoist Xue Hai reached the Seventh Order of Tier-6, he possessed the power of a mid-level or even near high-level Hegemon. Even across an entire era, he was among the rarest and most formidable.

 

Such an existence, if it were to emerge in the current era, would surely plunge countless beings into despair.

 

After all, while it took thousands of years to become an Overlord, it needed tens of thousands of years to become a Hegemon.

 

Every step is a chasm.

 

If Yu Zi Yu were to truly ascend as a Hegemon through his physical body, he might instantly become the foremost under the starry Heavens.

 

Even that ancient, Heaven-Connecting Jianmu rooted deep in the cosmic expanse would not intimidate Yu Zi Yu.

 

“Soon, very soon,” Yu Zi Yu murmured, suppressing the surge of excitement that threatened to overwhelm him.

 

[I must not act rashly. My current strength is more than sufficient. There is no need to rush in pushing my body toward the Realm of Hegemony. Instead, my immediate focus should be on refining the Tenth Realm.]

 

His gaze drifted to the distant skies of the Tenth Realm, where an Azure Dragon weaved gracefully through the clouds and mist, an awe-inspiring presence in its domain. With a quiet sigh, Yu Zi Yu retracted his gaze.

 

[With the Azure Dragon guarding the Realm, there is little for me to concern myself with. It has merged with the Will of the Nine Realms, becoming the very embodiment of their Principles. Under the guidance of these Principles, the Tenth Realm’s growth will naturally follow its course—steady and unhindered by interference.]

 

A faint smile crept onto Yu Zi Yu’s lips. There was satisfaction, even pride, in his expression as he reflected on his choice to have the Azure Dragon fuse with the will of the Nine Realms.

 

[It was a wise decision, perhaps my most prudent move yet.]

 

…

 

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out from the distance, “Master, how are you?”

 

Turning toward the voice, Yu Zi Yu saw Bull Demon rushing toward him, his enthusiasm evident.

 

“Very… good,” Yu Zi Yu replied. Though it was only two words, they revealed the indescribable joy in his heart.

 

However, just then…

 

*Boooooom…*

 

With a single glance—just one glance—Bull Demon, Golden Ant, and the others who had arrived all froze in place. Cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.

 

This was Yu Zi Yu’s first time gazing at them after his breakthrough. His countless branches swayed gently in the wind, and the calm in his eyes carried an overwhelming pressure.

 

That pressure alone seemed to seize the very essence of their Souls.

 

In a daze, they felt as if they had descended into Hell, only to be pulled back into the Mortal World a moment later.

 

Even though it was but an instant, Bull Demon and Golden Ant, formidable as they were, found themselves trembling, drenched in sweat.

 

“What… is this?” The disbelief in their voices was echoed by Ao Yu, who had arrived from afar, staggering as he spoke.

 

In that moment…

 

In that instant when Yu Zi Yu’s gaze fell upon him, Ao Yu felt his blood freeze, his mind go blank, as if he were facing a resurrected ancient beast of unparalleled ferocity.

 

[How could a living being be this terrifying!? No, to be more precise, how could such a terrifying existence emerge in the current era!?]