Chapter 1069: Preparing for War

In the Heavenly Abyss Domain.

On the summit of a mountain, Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged, his gaze constantly scanning his surroundings as he murmured, "Why aren't they here yet?"

He was, of course, waiting for his Eldest Senior Brother.

A few days prior, Zhuan Zhu had mentioned that he would put him through rigorous training. Although Zhou Yuan vaguely sensed it would be an arduous ordeal, he didn't refuse; on the contrary, a hint of anticipation stirred within him.

He knew very well that despite Zhuan Zhu's seemingly malicious tone, his Eldest Senior Brother actually intended to guide and train him.

Personal guidance from a Saint was something many Law Domain experts would envy. Therefore, Zhou Yuan wasn't so foolish as to give it up. He also knew that for the Contest of the Heavens, he had to further improve his strength; otherwise, even with the "promotion" power of his Heavenly Yuan Brush, he would be utterly ineffective in that terrifying conflict.

Unless he could advance to the mid-stage of the Heavenly Sun Realm during this period!

Only by reaching the mid-stage and leveraging the "promotion" power would he be able to contend with the top-tier Heavenly Sun Realm experts.

However, a rapid breakthrough in strength using conventional methods was clearly unfeasible, so Zhou Yuan placed his hopes on Zhuan Zhu.

As Zhou Yuan harbored these expectations, countless specks of Genesis Qi light suddenly converged in the void before him. A few moments later, a familiar figure appeared directly in front.

It was Zhuan Zhu.

"Oh, I'm utterly exhausted!" As soon as Zhuan Zhu appeared, he let out a mournful sigh, his face filled with weariness, and slumped weakly onto the ground.

He looked at Zhou Yuan and said, "Little Junior Brother, how about I promote you to Chief Elder, and you can handle all these troublesome affairs of the Heavenly Abyss Domain!"

Zhou Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Eldest Senior Brother, stop messing around with nonsense. My position as an elder is just a mascot. If you made me manage things, it would be simpler for the Five Great Alliances to just flatten our Heavenly Abyss Domain again."

"You really are useless," Zhuan Zhu mumbled, a corner of his mouth twitching.

Zhou Yuan nodded indifferently, smiling, "Eldest Senior Brother, I'm still waiting for your training!"

He naturally knew why Zhuan Zhu was lamenting so much. It was because Senior Sister Xi Jing had simply thrown her hands up and quit, stating she also needed to enter seclusion to break through to the Saint stage. Consequently, all the affairs of the Heavenly Abyss Domain were dumped onto Zhuan Zhu, clearly an act of retaliation for his Eldest Senior Brother's previous actions.

Moreover, Zhuan Zhu was also responsible for repairing the protective barrier at the entrance of the Heavenly Abyss Domain. He must have been incredibly busy these past few days.

Zhuan Zhu's face filled with indignation. "I shouldn't have come back!"

Zhou Yuan remained smiling and unperturbed. Before Xi Jing entered seclusion, she had carefully warned him not to be tricked by his Eldest Senior Brother into helping him with tasks, or he might end up carrying that burden for decades, even centuries.

Zhuan Zhu lamented for a long while, but seeing Zhou Yuan remain unyielding, he lost interest. His expression immediately became serious as he said blankly, "Little Junior Brother, you're a bit heartless."

Zhou Yuan chuckled, "Eldest Senior Brother, once I advance to the Saint stage, I'll help you share the load."

Zhuan Zhu rolled his eyes. "By the time you advance to the Saint stage, I'll probably be worked to death. What good would you be then?"

"For this Contest of the Ancient Origin Heaven, our Heavenly Abyss Domain will likely send about a thousand Heavenly Sun Realm experts. These are considered the most elite forces within the Heavenly Sun Realm. For now, we'll designate two captains: Qin Lian and you," Zhuan Zhu finally said, getting to the point.

Zhou Yuan said somewhat helplessly, "I'm probably the weakest captain among all the Heavens, aren't I?"

"Pretty much," Zhuan Zhu chuckled. "The other eight domains of the Hunyuan Heaven and all the top factions will also send their most elite Heavenly Sun Realm teams. However, even though they are all from Hunyuan Heaven, don't be naive and assume everyone is a trustworthy ally."

"For instance, the team from the Myriad Ancestors Domain might not hesitate to eliminate you if they get the chance."

"Furthermore, while our ultimate goal is to connect a stronger passage to Hunyuan Heaven, there's a difference in who opens and controls it..."

"What do you mean?" Zhou Yuan asked, puzzled.

Zhuan Zhu explained, "Simply put, the one who controls the passage, while not having absolute control over the Ancestral Qi, can manipulate it a bit. For example, by directing a little more of that Ancestral Qi towards our Heavenly Abyss Domain..."

"Do you know what result this would have? It would cause the Heaven and Earth Genesis Qi in our Heavenly Abyss Domain to surge by more than a single level for a certain period, and our cultivators' efficiency would be much higher. While not immediately apparent, the long-term benefits would be incredibly terrifying."

Zhou Yuan's expression turned slightly serious. He understood Zhuan Zhu's meaning: the influx of Ancestral Qi would cause changes in the Genesis Qi throughout Hunyuan Heaven. Although the total amount wouldn't change, it could make the Genesis Qi in a specific region stronger or weaker.

This was an extremely formidable method.

Because Heaven and Earth Genesis Qi is fundamental to all cultivation. Why could the Nine Domains become the Nine Domains and attract the most talented individuals from all over Hunyuan Heaven? Isn't it because the Heaven and Earth Genesis Qi there is more abundant and cultivation resources are superior?

And by controlling that passage, one could alter these conditions. This showed what a powerful strategic weapon it was for all major factions.

"So, you're saying that even if we secure the passage, we'll still have to be wary of internal competition?" Zhou Yuan slowly asked.

Zhuan Zhu nodded slightly.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but click his tongue. This Contest of the Heavens was truly brutal; not only did they have to defeat opponents from all sides, but they also had to watch out for betrayal from within.

"Oh, right, Zhao Mu Shen from the Myriad Ancestors Domain, Wu Yao from the Martial God Domain, and Su You Wei from the Violet Heavens Domain should also participate. The Grand Exalts of their respective domains highly value the three of them, so they'll likely be undergoing intense training during this period," Zhuan Zhu reminded him.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan was somewhat surprised but not overly so. After all, Zhao Mu Shen, Wu Yao, and Su You Wei undoubtedly possessed top-tier talent. Currently, they were only keeping a low profile because they had just entered the Heavenly Sun Realm, but once the time was right, they would certainly distinguish themselves among the many Heavenly Sun Realm cultivators.

"It seems those three Grand Exalts intend for them to use the opportunities within the Ancient Origin Heaven to directly leap into the Nascent Source Realm," Zhuan Zhu said, stroking his chin.

Zhou Yuan's heart jolted. He asked incredulously, "Are there such opportunities within the Ancient Origin Heaven?"

Currently, Zhao Mu Shen and the others were likely in the early stage of the Heavenly Sun Realm, just like him. There was an abyssal gap between that and the Nascent Source Realm. Could the Ancient Origin Heaven really allow someone to ascend so quickly?

Zhuan Zhu chuckled faintly. "The Ancient Origin Heaven was formed from a fragment of the Ancestral Dragon's birthplace. Naturally, it contains endless profound mysteries. Under such immense opportunities, stepping into the Nascent Source Realm in one go is not an impossible feat."

"Moreover, such things have occurred before."

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but lick his lips, his eyes seeming to blaze with ambition. The Nascent Source Realm... he had longed for that level of power for a long time.

Therefore, he looked at Zhuan Zhu and said earnestly, "Eldest Senior Brother, please push me as hard as you can!"

He understood that even with such great opportunities in the Ancient Origin Heaven, he would still need sufficient strength to seize them. Therefore, breaking through to the mid-stage of the Heavenly Sun Realm was the most fundamental prerequisite!

The Heavenly Sun Realm experts appearing in the Ancient Origin Heaven would likely be the strongest wave in the entire Heaven Origin World. Facing this grand spectacle that would affect all Nine Heavens, even Zhou Yuan dared not underestimate it in the slightest.

Furthermore, there was also the mysterious Sacred Race...

Zhou Yuan felt immense pressure.

Zhuan Zhu pursed his lips and raised a finger. "Next, before the Contest of the Heavens begins, I'll have you cultivate in there. Whether you can break through to the mid-stage of the Heavenly Sun Realm will depend on your own abilities..."

Zhou Yuan looked up curiously, following Zhuan Zhu's pointing finger. Then, his expression slowly stiffened.

"Eldest Senior Brother, you... you're not joking, are you?!"

Because Zhuan Zhu was pointing directly at the blazing sun suspended high in the sky above the Heavenly Abyss Domain.

It was also the sacred artifact overseeing the Heavenly Abyss Domain: the Heavenly Candle Eye!