Gates of the Myriad Realms Chapter 384

Shen Ye held the jade slip, his thoughts swirling for eight hundred times before he met Tu Fusheng’s gaze.

Me, a disciple?

Will you or won’t you be a disciple?

Their eyes met, and Shen Ye nodded slightly.

The benefits of joining the Taishang Dao Palace were obvious—

First, he could learn cultivation methods.

Second, if he ever got the chance to go to the center of the Dao Palace, he could release the Demon Subduing Pestle and just throw it at the statue!

The contract would be complete!

From then on, Yun Ni would no longer have curses lingering on him, and once she died, he would acquire all her Taoist treasures.

“Hahaha, good, since the Taishang Dao Palace is so kind, I am not a stingy person either.”

Tu Fusheng laughed heartily and stretched out his hand, placing a black wooden board on the table.

The Taishang Elder of the Dao Palace’s eyes flickered slightly, and the black wooden board immediately flew over and landed in his hand.

“It’s the Secret Record of the Vacuum White Moon Sword Art! Elder Tu, what a generous gesture!”

The Taishang Elder exclaimed, moved.

Tu Fusheng, however, turned to Shen Ye, his gaze becoming benevolent:

“It’s just adding a few unpresentable techniques to the Dao Palace—I’m entrusting this junior to you, hoping you will take good care of him and let him achieve something.”

Everyone looked at Shen Ye.

—The legendary Saint Martial Artist, Grandmaster of Extreme Hand Blade Style, Elder Tu, known as the Lord of Malice, personally brought this child and was so generous as to contribute the Secret Record of the Sword Art.

This child must be his closest junior!

“Is that Secret Record of the Vacuum White Moon Sword Art very valuable?”

Shen Ye transmitted his voice.

“Nonsense, that’s my treasure,” Tu Fusheng felt a pang of heartache, but immediately cast aside that emotion, and transmitted solemnly, “My name can only be used for a while. To truly make them value and cultivate you, you must bring out real money!”

“Exchange of interests.” Shen Ye indicated that he understood.

—I give you the secret record, you properly cultivate my junior.

This was a transaction laid bare on the table.

A win-win situation.

The Taishang Elder’s tone became even gentler, and he said to Shen Ye:

“Nangong Wantou, my Taishang Dao Palace has five kinds of Dharma appearances, eighteen kinds of Dao Soldiers, and thirty-six layers of術法 (術法), divided into Heaven, Earth, and Profound Gates, each with its own master. In which gate do you wish to cultivate?”

“What are the differences between these three gates?” Shen Ye asked, cupping his hands.

“The Heaven Gate specializes in spells, the Earth Gate specializes in Dao Soldiers, and the Profound Gate specializes in cultivating Dharma appearances, ‘names,’ and rare items. One cannot enter this gate without special Dharma appearances or rare ‘names’.”

The Taishang Elder patiently explained.

Shen Ye pondered for a moment, then asked, “I wonder what kind of heroic figures are the masters of these three gates?”

It was natural for youths to admire heroes.

The Taishang Elder smiled and said, “The Heaven Gate is overseen by the three Taishang Elders of my Taishang Dao Palace. The Earth Gate receives its teachings from the Vice-Palace Master. As for the Profound Gate—”

He paused, then continued:

“It was originally led by the Palace Master’s only direct disciple, who is also our sect’s eldest disciple. However, she suffered qi deviation and was personally led by the Palace Master to set up a great formation, killing her in a lower universe.”

“So the position of the Profound Gate Master is temporarily vacant.”

Shen Ye’s face remained calm, but in his heart, it was as if a thunderclap had exploded.

Yun Ni—

She was the Taishang Dao Palace Master’s only direct disciple?

Since they were master and disciple, why wasn’t preparation made earlier, and why did they set up a great formation at the last minute to kill her?

This is illogical!

And this Taishang Elder, he spoke of such a recent event without any qualms to an outsider.

As if afraid others wouldn’t know.

…It’s too strange.

This Taishang Dao Palace must have some major issue.

Wait.

They thought Yun Ni was dead?

Shen Ye glanced at Tu Fusheng.

Tu Fusheng immediately sat up straight, moved, “Can the Saint Venerable really bring himself to kill his own direct disciple? Is she truly dead?”

“Her soul lamp has been extinguished. Our Taishang Dao Palace’s eldest disciple, Yun Ni, due to qi deviation, harmed the beings of the lower realm, and was indeed killed by the Palace Master, the Saint Venerable, who deployed a great formation.” The Taishang Elder nodded.

Soul lamp?

“It’s a type of magical artifact connected to one’s life. Once someone in the sect dies, their soul lamp will extinguish, and the sect will immediately dispatch people to investigate the cause of death.”

Tu Fusheng transmitted the explanation.

Shen Ye paused.

He was quite certain that Yun Ni, who had suffered qi deviation, was still sealed by him, enclosed within a sealed coffin.

Perhaps…

That sealed coffin could completely block her aura?

“Nangong Wantou, which gate of my Dao Palace do you wish to join?”

The Taishang Elder asked.

“I wish to join the Profound Gate,” Shen Ye said.

“Why?” the Taishang Elder asked.

“Because I have some rather special ‘names’ that I need to gradually familiarize myself with and find ways to improve in the Profound Gate,” Shen Ye said.

With a thought, he released a purple-grade descriptor, letting it float above his head.

When everyone saw this phenomenon, a sense of respect immediately arose in their hearts.

—There aren’t many ways to hide ‘names’!

This kid can hide his ‘name’ and even said he has “some rather special ‘names'”. It seems he really is a special talent!

The Taishang Elder raised his head, examining the “name” above him, and unconsciously read aloud:

“Scourge.”

Everyone else looked too.

Scourge!

To have such a ‘name’!

This doesn’t sound like a good ‘name’, will there be trouble?

“Apologies, to enter the Profound Gate, you need at least two ‘names,’ or to display a rare Dharma appearance.”

The Taishang Elder said.

“I have another one,” Shen Ye said.

His head moved slightly, and another name appeared.

This was a rare pink name—

“Songstress.”

It’s a Songstress!

No matter what kind of talent a songstress possesses, as long as she is a songstress, she is extremely useful to the sect.

No wonder Tu Fusheng was so concerned about this junior!

The Taishang Elder couldn’t help but stand up, laughing heartily, and loudly proclaimed:

“Songstress? Excellent, your joining will surely make the Profound Gate stronger.”

“Nangong Wantou, from now on, you are a disciple of my Taishang Dao Palace’s Profound Gate.”

“Someone, bring him to collect his disciple robes, various elixirs, armor, and Daoist scriptures.”

He rattled off a string of instructions, settling all matters on the spot.

—This was too fast.

This also made Shen Ye once again realize the value of the “Songstress” profession.

The Taishang Elder then asked:

“Elder Tu, will you stay a little longer, or return immediately?”

Tu Fusheng stroked his beard and sent a voice transmission to Shen Ye:

“Once you enter the Dao gate, you will be isolated from cultivation for at least several months before you can communicate with the outside world. This is the rule. If I were to make demands on them over such a trivial matter, it would only arouse suspicion.”

Shen Ye transmitted:

“You go first, roam freely for a while. I’ll summon you with the contract when you return to my Dharma appearance.”

Tu Fusheng was startled, then overjoyed.

This basically meant freedom!

If there was trouble, he would come to help, otherwise, he could do whatever he wanted!

—He had fought hard and accompanied him to the ninety-nine heavens, exchanging secret arts for his disciple’s position, and sure enough, he was rewarded.

This kid was decent.

He should have chosen not to play those assassination games!

“I’m entrusting this junior to you, so I’m at ease and won’t stay long.”

Tu Fusheng’s figure flickered, then vanished into thin air, his whereabouts unknown.

Everyone was stunned.

How did it feel…

He seemed a bit eager to leave…

The Taishang Elder looked at the Secret Record of the Vacuum White Moon Sword Art in his hand.

The secret record was real.

He looked at Shen Ye again.

Shen Ye was indeed a young man of the six realms of the Dharma with two rare ‘names’ above his head.

—It was also true.

Alright.

No problem.

“Taishang Elder, this disciple will now take his leave.” Shen Ye cupped his hands.

“Hmm, go. Today, there’s a rearrangement of the Xuan Gate rankings, so pay attention.”

“And, cultivate diligently from now on. If you achieve great accomplishments, it will also be the glory of my Dao Palace.” The Taishang Elder advised kindly.

Shen Ye bowed once more, then, led by a guide, left the palace.

The guiding Daoist first took him to collect the monthly spirit stones, elixirs, and basic Daoist scriptures. Then, he rose into the air, flying through the mountains, speaking quickly:

“Today, the Master of the Profound Gate suffered qi deviation, and the Saint Venerable personally arranged a formation to kill her, destroying her body and soul.”

“Since Senior Sister Yun is dead, the ranking of the Profound Gate will surely be reordered.”

He stopped speaking there.

Shen Ye smiled, took some of the spirit stones he had just received, and slipped them into the guiding Daoist’s hand.

The Daoist then continued:

“The ranking of the Profound Gate is different from the other two gates. It randomly selects one item from Dharma appearances, names, or strange artifacts for competition.”

“The higher the ranking, the better the resources available.”

“It’s re-ranked every seven days.”

“Thank you, Dao brother.” Shen Ye cupped his hands, then slipped a few more elixirs.

In a short while.

The two landed on a mountaintop.

On the mountain, seventeen or eighteen cultivators were already standing in the martial arts arena.

The guiding Daoist stretched his neck and looked for a moment, then whispered:

“This time, it’s a competition of strange artifacts.”

“What are strange artifacts?” Shen Ye asked.

“They are strange, incomprehensible, yet powerfully effective items,” the guiding Daoist said.

“Thank you, Dao brother.” Shen Ye nodded.

The guiding Daoist dangled the few elixirs in front of Shen Ye, then put them into his storage bag.

—Meaning, since he took a benefit from you, he will certainly handle the matter thoroughly.

This person is dependable!

“May I ask your name, Dao brother, so I can seek your guidance more often in the future?” Shen Ye cupped his hands.

“Dao Zhengyi.” The guiding Daoist also cupped his hands in return.

“A good name. My name is Nangong Wantou.”

The guiding Daoist led him to the front of the arena, spoke a few words to a black-bearded man, briefly introduced Shen Ye, and then took his leave.

Shen Ye was left surrounded by a group of senior brothers and sisters who eyed him up and down.

“I’ve heard the name Tu Fusheng, seems like a powerful figure from a past era… Is he still alive?”

The black-bearded man grumbled.

“I am Nangong Wantou, I greet my senior brothers and sisters,” Shen Ye bowed neither servile nor overbearing.

“Hmm, are you participating in today’s ranking competition? How about joining us for some fun?” the black-bearded man invited.

The other senior brothers and sisters also looked over, showing interest.

From their expressions, it seemed they really wanted him to go up.

“I don’t know how to fight; I’ll watch first.”

Shen Ye declined.

—He wasn’t here to show off; he needed to observe the situation first.

And a very important point—

The laws of this world were so profound that with just a slight perception, one could penetrate the void and see the Dharma forms hidden within the Dharma realm.

The power here was too abundant!

He also needed some time to gradually adapt.

Upon hearing that Shen Ye had declined to participate in the ranking competition, everyone seemed a bit disheartened, turning their gaze back to the arena.

—On the stage, two disciples were competing with strange artifacts.

One released a treasured gourd, constantly spewing lightning in mid-air;

The other held a long staff, from which multicolored light clouds billowed, blocking all of the opponent’s attacks.

Shen Ye watched for a moment, then nodded slightly.

So this is how the competition works—

Neither of the two on stage used Dharma forms or descriptors; they only relied on the strange artifacts in their hands to fight.

This method was somewhat like cricket fighting.

Quite interesting, and for both combatants, there was no danger to life.

No wonder they had wanted him to go up just now.

Adding a fresh strange artifact to the competition would indeed be quite enjoyable.

…Forget it.

He was new here; he would gradually change his ranking later.

Shen Ye found a comfortable spot and sat down, watching the competition on the stage.

About seven or eight minutes passed.

The treasured gourd continued to emit lightning, but the long staff gradually gave way, softening and transforming into a rope.

It could no longer release multicolored mist, nor could it withstand the lightning.

“The outcome is decided!”

The black-bearded man proclaimed loudly.

The two disciples retrieved their strange artifacts and jumped off the stage.

“Sun Lian moves up one rank, Wu Fang moves back one rank—is there anyone else who wants to challenge?”

The black-bearded man asked.

The crowd was still hesitating when a streak of light flew from the sky and landed on the arena.

It was an old man with white hair, dressed in a dark blue Daoist robe.

He didn’t waste words and directly announced:

“The Master of the Profound Gate, Yun Ni, suffered qi deviation, her body and soul perished. All the resources and treasures she left behind will be redistributed to you.”

“You may compete for them according to the rules of the Profound Gate.”

As he spoke, dozens of Daoists, carrying various items, scrolls, and even a few Daoist children, landed on the mountaintop.

The Daoist holding the scroll read:

“One spiritual spring, one spiritual mansion for Xuanmen cultivation, twelve spirit fruit trees, one top-grade alchemy furnace, three excellent Daoist weapons, one fire-stoking child, one fan-holding child, one fruit-picking child each…”

It took a good three to five minutes to finish reading.

The black-bearded man asked, “But isn’t this only the privilege of the Master of the Profound Gate? Are all these going to be distributed among us this time?”

“Yun Ni has already suffered qi deviation, and the Palace Master fears you might follow suit. After dispatching people to inspect all the items and personnel, he is still not at ease, and has decided to dismantle all these resources and bestow them upon you.”

Everyone became excited.

Shen Ye listened from the side, but didn’t feel much.

He wouldn’t participate this time, he thought.

As he was thinking, he suddenly felt something and looked up at the group of Daoists.

Among the few children brought there, a little girl’s eyes met his.

The little girl seemed to want to say something, but she cautiously looked around, then lowered her eyes.

Do I know her?

Shen Ye carefully looked at the little girl.

…No, he didn’t know her at all.

This was the ninety-nine heavens, how could there be an acquaintance?

Perhaps she was just looking at a handsome guy.

Shen Ye averted his gaze and leaned back in his chair.

On the arena, the elder announced:

“Those who desire the Xuan Fire Spiritual Spring, step forward and compete for it.”

Immediately, five Daoists leaped onto the stage.

The elder then had them draw lots to determine their opponents.

Shen Ye was watching when he suddenly felt another sensation.

He looked towards the opposite side of the arena.

He saw the little girl’s eyes meet his again.

“What is it?”

Shen Ye decided to transmit his voice.

“Gate Master? Is that you?” The little girl responded cautiously.

Shen Ye’s heart stirred.

She called him Gate Master.

Why?

Could it be—

“Don’t speak loudly, how do you recognize me?” Shen Ye transmitted his voice again.

“I helped the Gate Master refine the Demon Subduing Pestle,” the little girl’s voice was filled with surprise and urgency, “there’s a wisp of my soul in it.”

Shen Ye was stunned, a strong sense of unease suddenly surged in his heart.

That Demon Subduing Pestle could break through all defenses of the Taishang Dao Palace.

It was actually refined with a soul?

This Daoist child must not fall into anyone else’s hands.

“It is I—don’t look at me anymore, lest you arouse suspicion, and wait patiently.”

Shen Ye transmitted his voice.

The little girl then lowered her head and truly stopped looking at him.

The contests on the arena continued.

Those spiritual mansions for cultivation, fruit trees, alchemy furnaces, and other items were contested and divided one by one.

Finally—

The little girl was brought forward and stood beside the elder.

“One fire-stoking attendant. This child is born with talent in artifact refining and alchemy. With proper nurturing, she will become a capable disciple of our Dao Palace in the future.”

The elder spoke on the stage.

Shen Ye’s figure flashed, and he leaped onto the stage.

Six other people also jumped onto the stage with him.

Even the black-bearded man landed on the stage, laughing loudly:

“Who doesn’t know of Peipei’s talent? Everyone knows it! It’s only right that we all compete fairly.”

“Exactly, I also need an alchemy attendant of such caliber,” another disciple laughed.

“If Peipei hadn’t lost her parents early, why would she be reduced to stoking fires? I’m here to save her, all of you step aside!” another disciple shouted.

No one paid him any attention.

Everyone wanted to get that fire-stoking girl.

The elder counted the numbers and nodded:

“Draw lots then, two by two, the final winner gets to have this Dao child serve them.”

Seven jade slips were placed on the ground.

Everyone beckoned, each taking a jade slip.

“Two!”

“Three!”

“Five!”

“Six!”

Everyone called out the numbers in their jade slips.

Shen Ye held the remaining jade slip and read, “Bye.”

Everyone looked at him with strange expressions.

This kid was lucky; he didn’t even have to fight in the first round, didn’t expend any energy.

“The one who drew the bye, step down and wait for the next round.” The elder said.

“Yes.”

Shen Ye jumped off the stage.

The fight began.

Disciples pulled out various strange artifacts to fight.

Before Shen Ye could get a closer look, a disciple had already flown off the stage and tumbled onto the ground.

“You conceded.”

The black-bearded man grinned.

Shen Ye looked beside him and saw a black hen standing there.

A hen?

“Phoenix King, you have an opponent.”

Shen Ye spoke silently.

The first round ended, leaving four people.

They drew lots again.

“One!” the black-bearded man shouted.

“Two,” a graceful young man responded.

“Three,” Shen Ye read aloud, clutching the jade slip.

“Four—I forfeit,” the last disciple said, his face downcast.

Everyone looked at him.

They saw a white mouse lying in his hand. The mouse had clearly been injured in the previous battle, covered in blood.

“Go to the treatment room quickly!” the elder urged him.

Every strange artifact was hard-won, and a disciple losing an artifact meant the sect also lost that artifact.

Naturally, the elder hoped the mouse would survive.

“Spotty, don’t die!”

The disciple cradled the mouse, soaring into the sky, flying towards another mountain peak.

Shen Ye quietly averted his gaze.

He had gotten a bye again?

“Elder, this isn’t fair, he’s had two byes.”

The black-bearded man couldn’t help but say.

The elder said, “That’s the result of drawing lots. You can only blame your bad luck. Why blame him?”

The black-bearded man felt gloomy, turned around to glare at the other competitor, and shouted:

“No matter who wins between you and me, we’ll have to fight him anyway. Why don’t you let me have this chance, and next time, whatever you choose, I absolutely won’t compete, how about it?”

That disciple glanced at the little girl, with some reluctance, but pressured by the black-bearded man’s authority, he simply cupped his hands and jumped off the stage.

Now.

Only Shen Ye and the black-bearded man were left as contenders.

“Newcomer, I am Jiang Dazhuang, ranked second in the Profound Gate. Even when Yun Ni was here, she had to show me some respect.”

The black-bearded man stared at Shen Ye with ill intentions, continuing:

“Peipei is not someone you can touch. Step down quickly, lest I harm your strange artifact, and you’ll have nowhere to cry.”

Shen Ye smiled and cupped his hands, “So it’s Second Senior Brother. I greet Second Senior Brother. Second Senior Brother is well, has Second Senior Brother eaten?”

Jiang Dazhuang roared, “Who is your Second Senior Brother? Do you really want to fight me?”

“I also want Peipei,” Shen Ye laughed.

“The competition begins!” the elder announced impatiently.

Jiang Dazhuang sneered, released the black hen, and shouted:

“Don’t hold back.”

The black hen immediately raised its head, clamped a carrot in its beak, placed it on its back, and then charged straight at Shen Ye.

Shen Ye casually touched the Phoenix King’s Fan, pulled it out, threw it on the ground, and also shouted:

“Ren Shen, it’s your turn!”

The Phoenix King’s Fan spun in mid-air, landed on the ground, and immediately transformed into the Benevolent God Rooster.

The black hen shrieked when it saw it, then turned and ran.

“Stop.”

The Benevolent God Rooster squawked menacingly.

—He was the King of All Phoenixes, at this moment, by his mere status, he completely suppressed the hen.

The black hen immediately froze, crouching on the spot, trembling.

The Benevolent God Rooster walked step by step, his claw about to mount the hen’s back—

“I concede!”

Jiang Dazhuang snarled, instantly put away his hen, and jumped off the stage.

On the arena.

Only the Benevolent God Rooster stood there majestically, a carrot that originally belonged to the hen dangling from its beak.

Everyone was speechless.

“Hey, this is a fight! What is your rooster doing?” Jiang Dazhuang roared.

Shen Ye looked at the Benevolent God Rooster.

The Benevolent God Rooster gave him a resolute look, then gestured for him to look at the carrot in its beak.

…So it was climbing onto the hen’s back to take the carrot from its back?

But…

What’s a carrot good for?

As Shen Ye was thinking, lines of faint luminous text appeared:

“Your rooster has obtained a special strange item:”

“Carrot (hidden).”

“Your rooster can now begin its disguise.”

“The effect after disguise is:”

“Carrot Chicken.”

“Description: Walking through a crowd with a Carrot Chicken will result in being ignored (Carrot Chicken).”

Shen Ye was close to going crazy.

This works too?

—What kind of structure is your chicken (phoenix) world, anyway?

The elder stood on the arena and announced:

“The fire-stoking child, Peipei, belongs to Nangong Wantou. Alright, let’s look at the next one.”

Shen Ye jumped off the stage.

On the stage, the selecting and battles began again.

Below the stage.

The little girl had already run over, standing obediently beside him, and even took his hand.

“Thank you, Gate Master, for specially coming to save me. Please take me and escape immediately.”

She transmitted her voice.

“Why?” Shen Ye asked.

“The Palace Master didn’t get to consume your Dharma physique this time, so his power will surely be greatly diminished. He must consume most of the sect’s people to maintain his strength.”

“If we don’t leave, he will surely consume us!”