Chapter 1208: Great Enemy Approaches

Zhou Yuan exhaled deeply, his gaze resolute. He knew how arrogant, or perhaps ignorant, his ambition was. The so-called path to becoming a god was a hurdle even many Sages found insurmountable. If ordinary people knew of his ambition, they would likely think he was insane.

However, no matter how difficult that path might be, he had to try.

Zhou Yuan was not someone who gave up easily. What he had endured over the years was by no means simple, yet he had ultimately overcome it all. While becoming a god would undoubtedly be thousands of times more difficult, he was willing to bear anything for Yao Yao.

"Yao Yao, once you awaken, we'll go find Tun Tun together!" Zhou Yuan whispered.

He then turned, stepped out of the flower sea, and walked towards Cang Yuan.

Cang Yuan and Zhuan Zhu watched Zhou Yuan approach. His eyes were still bright and sharp, which surprised them. Even after learning the despairing truth, Zhou Yuan remained unbroken.

They exchanged glances, their expressions complex. In their view, Zhou Yuan's talent, resilience, and effort far surpassed that of ordinary people; he was practically destined to become a Saint. Yet, even becoming a Saint might not be enough to change anything.

Though they felt sympathy and pity for Zhou Yuan, they showed no more emotion on their faces. Since Zhou Yuan had chosen not to give up, he must have prepared himself to face anything.

"Master, when do we begin?" Zhou Yuan asked, arriving at Cang Yuan's side.

Cang Yuan looked up at the void and said, "It's almost time."

Zhou Yuan also gazed at the void, but even though he had now entered the Grand Genesis Stage, he could see nothing. He reluctantly withdrew his gaze and asked, "Will Sages from the all-heavens come to stop us this time?"

Cang Yuan nodded. "That's inevitable. They've been waiting for this day for a long time too. However, I've set up a barrier in this space, so even if Sages arrive, they won't be able to enter immediately. Zhuan Zhu and I will stop the attacking Sages. But besides Sages, there will definitely be Law Domain and Genesis Stage experts attacking. We can't deal with their level for now, so we'll have to rely on you to stop them. We must buy time until Yao Yao awakens. Once she's awake, these conflicts and schemes will finally reach their conclusion."

Zhou Yuan nodded gently. Perhaps Grand Elder Wan Zu and the other Sages were also planning for the future of the all-heavens, but their paths diverged. His stance was now aligned with Yao Yao's; he would never stand by and let the Sages refine her. In that case, confrontation was the only option.

Xi Jing, Mu Ni, Sect Master Xuan Kun, and others nearby also responded with solemn expressions.

As for Zhao Lefu, Xue Qinglong, and Yi Yan, the three peak Genesis Stage cultivators, they couldn't help but wipe cold sweat from their brows. Only now did they realize the level of confrontation they had become involved in. But since even the two Grand Elders of the Tianyuan Region were participating, they, as subordinates, naturally couldn't escape.

After instructing them on the necessary precautions, Grand Elder Cang Yuan led Zhou Yuan back to the crystal coffin.

He raised his hand, and an ancient oil lamp slowly rose from his palm.

The lamp was simple and unadorned, appearing like the most ordinary oil lamp in the human world. Yet, only those who had reached a certain level of power could sense the terrifying force gathered within it.

This was the Ancestral Dragon Lamp.

It ranked second on the All-Heavens Sacred Artifact Register.

This artifact was considered one of the strongest means in the all-heavens; no single force could monopolize it. Instead, it was wielded by the victorious faction of each Nine Regions Grand Assembly in the Hunyuan Heaven.

And this was what Zhou Yuan had painstakingly won by defeating Zhao Mu Shen.

"Since the founding of my Tianyuan Region, it seems we've never held this Ancestral Dragon Lamp. I never expected that because of you, I would be able to wield it this time," Cang Yuan said with a smile, looking at the ancient lamp.

Zhou Yuan chuckled, "If Master hadn't founded the Tianyuan Region, I wouldn't even have been qualified to compete for it."

This was true; only the nine regions were qualified to participate in the Nine Regions Grand Assembly. It was an entry ticket, and without it, no matter how powerful Zhou Yuan was, he couldn't have competed.

Cang Yuan smiled, his eyes full of satisfaction for his young disciple. He and Wan Zu had been locked in conflict for many years, but he hadn't gained much of an advantage. However, ever since Zhou Yuan came to the Tianyuan Region, the Wanzu Region had repeatedly suffered setbacks. Presumably, that old fellow Wan Zu must be quite frustrated about this.

"Bring out the Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood."

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan slowly brought his hands together, then gradually pulled them apart.

Invisible ripples condensed between his palms. The next moment, an indescribably ancient aura permeated the air. To an observer, Zhou Yuan's hands seemed to hold nothing, yet in Cang Yuan's eyes, a mysterious, fist-sized object, no bigger than a baby's, became visible.

It resembled an incredibly hard piece of purple-gold stone, showing no resemblance to flesh and blood. Upon closer inspection, countless patterns could be seen on its surface, seemingly formed at the very moment heaven and earth first opened, so ancient that one could almost smell the primeval chaos.

This was the Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood that Zhou Yuan had condensed from the Ancient Origin Heaven.

He had stored this item in his Divine Dwelling, constantly enveloped by layers of Genesis Qi.

Cang Yuan beckoned with his hand, and the Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood landed in his grasp. This item could not normally be touched by mortals, so even a Cosmos Bag couldn't store it. Zhou Yuan had to keep it in his Divine Dwelling, but Cang Yuan now held it directly in his hand.

"After entering the Saint stage, one possesses a Saint Body, which naturally allows direct contact with such divine objects," Cang Yuan explained.

Zhou Yuan nodded, feeling a hint of envy. His physical body had also achieved some success; even among many peak Genesis Stage Stage experts, only a very few who had delved deeply into body cultivation could forge a Saint Glazed Body. Yet, even with that, he still couldn't directly touch the Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood with his physical body.

Cang Yuan flicked his finger, and the crystal coffin lid instantly disintegrated into countless specks of light.

He positioned the Ancestral Dragon Lamp three inches above Yao Yao's brow.

Then, several drops of Saint blood emerged from his fingertips and fell into the Ancestral Dragon Lamp. Immediately, a flame appeared at the wick, gradually growing into a cluster of light.

Zhou Yuan watched, filled with awe. The Ancestral Dragon Lamp was too mysterious; to ignite it, it actually required Saint's blood. If it were in his hands, even if he sacrificed himself, he probably wouldn't be able to ignite a single spark.

Once the Ancestral Dragon Lamp was lit, Cang Yuan then enveloped the Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood with his Saint Genesis Qi and slowly placed it above the lamp's flame.

Sizzle!

The moment they touched, Zhou Yuan felt as if the entire world was gradually warping. Within this space, mountains and rivers began to shift; peaks rose from nowhere, and great rivers appeared, surging away into the distance.

It felt as if this previously lifeless world was now giving birth to the origins of life.

All of this was clearly due to the Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood being ignited.

As the Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood was seared by the Ancestral Dragon Lamp, a faint, oil-like golden liquid began to seep out. Though it resembled grease, Zhou Yuan could vaguely sense the immense power it contained.

The golden liquid dripped down, finally landing on Yao Yao's smooth forehead.

Upon contact, it instantly fused into her skin.

Mysterious patterns, originating from Yao Yao's brow, slowly spread across her face.

Cang Yuan watched the scene, let out a soft breath, and smiled. "Once this piece of Ancestral Dragon Flesh and Blood has been completely consumed by the fire, Yao Yao should be able to awaken."

Zhou Yuan also felt a sense of relief, his tense body relaxing.

However, the very next second after he exhaled, the entire space suddenly began to vibrate violently.

Zhou Yuan abruptly looked up, and his pupils constricted as he saw boundless power gathering beyond the void, forming a gigantic face that coldly observed everything happening within the space.

That face was not unfamiliar.

It was none other than Grand Elder Wan Zu!