Gatekeeper Of All Realms Chapter 50

The massive flying shuttle soared through the clouds.

Shen Ye had intended to sleep through the journey, but his neck and shoulders were stiff, and he hadn’t slept at all.

Just as a hazy drowsiness began to creep in, his phone suddenly vibrated.

He reluctantly picked up his phone.

Zhao Yibing?

—Girl, can you please let me get some sleep first!

Shen Ye couldn’t help but yawn.

He tapped open the message, and a photo immediately appeared on his phone.

Zhao Yibing held an admission notice for the entrance exam of one of the three major high schools, smiling radiantly.

She seemed to have changed somehow.

Was it because of her striking purple hair?

Or because her originally pure, bright eyes were now outlined with heavy eyeshadow?

Or perhaps it was that indescribable melancholic aura about her expression?

“Shen Ye, I also got a chance for the entrance exam to the three major high schools.”

“Let’s meet up.”

Shen Ye was instantly wide awake.

For some reason, he felt that something was amiss.

“Manager Qian, another girl from our school also qualified for the entrance exam to the three major high schools, did you know?”

Shen Ye asked.

Qian Rushan, who was sitting next to him reading a newspaper, grunted in response, saying:

“I just found out myself. They say that girl has astonishing talent and has been kept hidden until today.”

“Hidden by whom?” Shen Ye asked.

“The Archeological Association,” Qian Rushan replied.

Shen Ye nodded slightly.

In this world, the Archeological Association was an extremely important organization.

It was responsible for excavating various ruins, searching for humanity’s past, and even for ancient legacies such as knowledge, weapons, and martial arts. It wielded great power and influence.

Zhao Yibing had such connections?

No, that couldn’t be right.

If she had such a high standing, why would she bring me breakfast every day?

Did she truly like me?

—If she truly liked me, why would she step on me after something happened?

It didn’t make sense.

According to his memory, she had never displayed any astonishing talent or ability.

Could it be…

Chen Haoyu’s face flashed through Shen Ye’s mind.

Chen Haoyu was dead.

What about Zhao Yibing?

Right, Xiao Mengyu had been investigating this matter; she knew more about the overall situation.

But he had made Xiao Mengyu cry earlier.

The young girl had originally been prepared to go with him, but after what he said, she drew a sword, cried, and ran off.

Would she still bother with him?

Shen Ye hesitated for a moment, then still sent a message to Xiao Mengyu:

“Do you know Zhao Yibing?”

He waited for a breath.

Xiao Mengyu’s message came immediately:

“You arrived late then, so you didn’t see her. She’s dead.”

Dead?

How could she be dead?

Shen Ye was stunned, feeling that it was hard to explain at the moment, so he simply screenshotted Zhao Yibing’s photo along with the text and sent it to Xiao Mengyu.

His phone suddenly vibrated.

—A call from Xiao Mengyu!

“Hello?” Shen Ye said.

“Where are you?” Xiao Mengyu asked directly.

“On the shuttle—going to the exam,” Shen Ye replied.

“I’m also taking the entrance exam; we can talk when we meet,” Xiao Mengyu said.

Shen Ye said, “Okay, I’ll be there in about—”

“Twenty-seven hours until arrival,” Qian Rushan’s voice came from behind the newspaper.

“Okay, I understand,” Xiao Mengyu said.

Shen Ye knew she had something to say in person, so he nodded and said:

“See you later.”

Xiao Mengyu sternly instructed, “Remember—never meet Zhao Yibing alone, remember my words.”

“Okay.” Shen Ye also became serious.

The call ended.

Qian Rushan’s head emerged from behind the newspaper.

“I think I’ve heard that voice somewhere,” he muttered with a gossipy expression.

“Xiao Mengyu,” Shen Ye said directly.

Qian Rushan nodded, then covered his face with the newspaper again.

His voice came from behind the newspaper:

“At 3:25 AM last night, a towering sword energy burst forth from the Baijiang River in the suburbs.”

“After investigation, it was found that this sword energy was unleashed by Luo family’s Xiao Mengyu.”

“The intelligent system determined that she had made a breakthrough in swordsmanship.”

“After her breakthrough, she performed forty-nine sword forms on the solitary peak over the river, then walked across the river with her sword, drifting gracefully away.”

Shen Ye, however, keenly picked up on something and immediately asked:

“A breakthrough? Why is she using sword techniques so early? While we, who are also in junior high, are only learning basic physical training methods?”

Qian Rushan said, “Although she hasn’t started high school yet, she has been practicing swordsmanship since childhood.”

“Practicing swordsmanship since childhood? Don’t you only get to learn combat techniques after high school?” Shen Ye asked.

“She’s from a prominent family; she has a swordsmanship legacy in her family, so naturally, she started training from a young age.”

So that’s how it is.

Ordinary people only get the chance to learn combat techniques if they get into high school.

But children from prominent families start practicing from a young age.

They truly win at the starting line.

Seeing Shen Ye lost in thought, Qian Rushan added:

“Also, children from prominent families start training their ‘comprehension’ and ‘resonance’ from a young age. You probably won’t encounter these subjects until high school.”

Shen Ye sighed, “The disparity is too great.”

“Actually, you’re also from a prominent family,” Qian Rushan added, seemingly unintentionally.

Shen Ye smiled, showing his tolerance and understanding for the statement.

As the manager of the Human Martial Arts Group, Qian Rushan naturally didn’t want him to leave the group and return to his prominent family.

That’s why he said what he did.

But it was also a fact—

He was about to graduate from junior high, yet he had never been exposed to any family legacy, nor had he received any training or cultivation in various aspects.

“After Xiao Mengyu’s breakthrough, she can walk on the river.”

“—It seems she also made a breakthrough in her movement technique.”

Qian Rushan exclaimed, “Indeed, heroes emerge from the young.”

“Enough about that, I’m going to get some sleep. Wake me when we arrive,” Shen Ye said with a stretch.

He had just put on his eye mask when his phone vibrated.

Another message appeared on the screen:

“Shen Ye, I’m about to leave for the exam. Shall we go together?”

A new message from Zhao Yibing.

You’re already dead, aren’t you?

Are you dead or not?!

—I really haven’t slept at all. Please stop sending messages!

Shen Ye thought for a moment, then rummaged through old photos on his phone before replying:

“You go ahead. I’m currently burning incense at Nanshan Temple, and climbing the mountain. I’ll also grab a meal at Fahai Food Stall tonight, and I won’t be leaving until tomorrow or the day after.”

There was no response from the other side.

A few minutes passed.

Shen Ye picked a photo from his album of a previous trip to Nanshan Temple and posted it on his social media feed.

Soon, there was a notification sound.

Someone left a comment!

Shen Ye tapped it open.

“What a coincidence, I’m also enjoying Nanshan! I didn’t see you just now, where are you exactly?”

A comment from Zhao Yibing.

—I just posted a picture of Nanshan, and now you, Zhao Yibing, are also in Nanshan?

I don’t believe a word of it!

We boys are relatively innocent and kind. When venturing out, it’s essential to keep our eyes peeled, stay vigilant, and protect ourselves well.

He had to remember this point.

Shen Ye put his phone down, pulled on his eye mask, and squeezed in some sleep.

Soon after.

He fell into a deep sleep.

Those distant memories were activated one by one during his slumber, resurfacing in his mind.

Darkness.

Snowflakes floated in the manor.

He was under the eaves, listening to the popping firecrackers in the distance.

Suddenly.

Two little girls came running in a panic, crying as they ran.

A hunting dog chased after them.

Hunting dogs were usually very fierce; they could tear out a prey’s throat as soon as they reached it.

Oh no!

Shen Ye saw himself rush forward, standing in front of the two little girls.

The scene flashed by.

In the hospital.

He was bandaged up like a mummy.

The doctor’s voice came from the hallway:

“Lucky to be alive…”

“…just an inch more, and…”

“…still not out of danger…”

The scene flashed again.

He didn’t know how much time had passed.

He was sitting diagonally on the hospital bed, almost fully recovered.

Two little girls came to thank him.

Everyone chatted happily.

Later, after he recovered, the three of them played together for most of the holiday.

The winter break ended.

They had to go home.

He also had to go home.

“We have cards to give you.”

The two girls said.

He also took out a greeting card as a farewell gift.

Since then, they had never seen each other again.

Ten years flashed by.

Ten years…

We had all grown up.

We never met again.

Everyone’s fates had also become completely different.

Someone tapped him.

Shen Ye opened his eyes, asking drowsily:

“What is it?”

“I see you’ve had enough sleep. Let’s go eat. We’ll be flying all day, come on!” Qian Rushan said.

Shen Ye snapped out of it, realizing that his stomach was indeed growling.

“Are there instant noodles?” he asked.

“Instant noodles my foot! With me, why would you eat instant noodles? Come on, let’s get something good to eat,” Qian Rushan said.

“Manager Qian is very generous!”

Shen Ye’s spirits immediately lifted.

He followed Qian Rushan, rising from his seat, walking through the wide, clean corridor, pushing open a door, and entering the restaurant.

“Wow, it’s so spacious here,” Shen Ye exclaimed.

“Of course, this is the most advanced and luxurious large-scale shuttle,” Qian Rushan said, leading him to a seat.

A beautiful flight attendant brought over the menu.

Qian Rushan ordered seafood porridge.

Shen Ye ordered spare rib rice, roasted lamb trotters, twenty beef skewers, and iced cola.

Qian Rushan said, “You’re not eating a single vegetable? Just meat won’t do—don’t try to save money on food and drinks for my sake.”

“Manager Qian, look, this is vegetarian,” Shen Ye said, picking up a piece of garlic.

Soon.

The food was served.

The two began to eat.

Although Shen Ye was ravenously hungry, he had somewhat overestimated his appetite. He still had a few beef skewers left and couldn’t eat anymore.

Suddenly.

A voice came from next to him:

“Excuse me, why are these skewers left over? Are they edible?”

Shen Ye turned to look, only to see that the speaker was a thin, dark-skinned boy with a buzz cut.

The boy looked to be about the same age as him, his eyes fixed on the skewers on Shen Ye’s plate, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Shen Ye was about to answer, but suddenly found it difficult to respond.

No.

Wait a minute.

He gradually understood.

“Are they edible?”

This sentence literally contained several meanings.

First.

Is this food good or bad? Will it upset my stomach?

Second.

Can I eat this?

Third.

Is it free?

From the context, the other person meant the second meaning, with the third meaning implied.

—This kid is interesting!