Gates of the Myriad Realms Chapter 423

Mount Tai Shang.

Xuanmen Peak.

Whether ten thousand years ago or ten thousand years later—

Shen Ye was very familiar with this mountain peak.

Controlling the Invisible Demonic Fiend, he flew skillfully across the mountain, searching for Zhang Beichen’s cave from tens of thousands of years ago.

The Saintly Venerable was not here.

Each peak had dedicated elders monitoring, but how could that compare to the “Tai Shang Fate Binding Soul Refining Palace”?

The Invisible Demonic Fiend had no pressure whatsoever, brazenly searching through the forests.

Soon.

He found that place.

The original cave was at the foot of the mountain, now covered by a lake.

The Invisible Demonic Fiend entered the lake, dived all the way down, passed through the muddy cave entrance, and stood in the submerged cave.

Tens of thousands of years ago—

When Zhang Beichen went to Haoyang Heavenly Palace, Penglai Mountain was captured.

He probably didn’t have time to return to this cave, did he?

Shen Ye looked around the entire room, but found nothing.

He simply activated the “Tool of Fate”.

Three lines of profiling subtly emerged:

“Although that guy is incredibly powerful, a fake is a fake;”

“Go find the real him;”

“It left too hastily, leaving behind some lingering problems that will remain here forever.”

—This was almost an explicit hint!

Shen Ye calmed down and manipulated the Invisible Demonic Fiend to search carefully again.

This time.

Under the thick mud, he found several broken floor tiles.

Digging open the tiles.

Inside was a human skeleton.

This made things easier.

The Invisible Demonic Fiend directly opened a door, taking the skeleton and leaving the bottom of the lake.

Relic’s third level.

Shen Ye knelt before the skeleton and asked,

“Who are you?”

—”Gloomy Whispers” activated!

The human skeleton suddenly coughed, then slowly recovered after a while and spoke:

“I am Zhang Beichen.”

“Who killed you?”

“A monster, it took my form and then killed me.”

Shen Ye thought for a moment.

Penglai Immortal Mountain wasn’t that easy to enter, unless there was an inside man helping…

But the inside men conspired with the cosmic demons.

This guy was the “Terminator”.

Could these two sides be in league?

That would be a huge problem.

But cosmic demons have their own organizations and the dignity of powerful beings; they wouldn’t align themselves with an entity destined to destroy everything.

“Where did you encounter that monster?” Shen Ye asked.

“I was the first in this true disciple trial, and I ran into it deep within the sect’s sacred relic.”

“It saw me, said ‘just right’, and then I was killed before I even had a chance to resist.”

The skeleton said.

“Why didn’t you reincarnate?” Shen Ye asked.

“Unwilling… I had a bright future, but I was killed by this monster, and everything is over.” The skeleton gritted its teeth.

Shen Ye sighed: “Go back and rest.”

The skeleton became still.

Shen Ye stood up, thought carefully, and gradually a thought emerged in his mind.

Go to Penglai Mountain’s sacred relic tens of thousands of years ago.

—Zhang Beichen said the “Terminator” appeared from there.

And at that point in time, going to the sacred relic should still be safe.

Because that “Terminator of all eras” disguised himself as Zhang Beichen and went to Haoyang Heavenly Palace on Penglai Mountain’s flying ship.

It had already left Penglai Mountain!

The tiger had left the mountain.

This was a rare opportunity.

Shen Ye immediately pulled out that demonized gem and crushed it forcefully.

…

Penglai Mountain.

Tianmen Peak, in a cave.

Shen Ye opened his eyes.

This time, the Penglai Mountain Master was still standing in front of him.

“Here again?”

The Mountain Master greeted him expressionlessly.

“I have not failed my mission, that monster has been sent to Haoyang Heavenly Palace.” Shen Ye bowed.

A wave of unfamiliar memories surged.

He realized his current identity was a well-known newcomer to the sect.

Swordsman, Zhao Wuchang.

“Why have you come this time?” the Penglai Mountain Master asked.

“To investigate the sacred relic—that monster emerged from the sacred relic,” Shen Ye said.

“I could arrange a new disciple trial, but how strong are you?” the Penglai Mountain Master asked.

“Law Realm eightfold,” Shen Ye said.

“How are you still alive?” the Penglai Mountain Master asked again.

“I have quite a few buffs,” Shen Ye shrugged.

“Alright, there are too many traitors in the sect, even some newcomers have defected to the rebellious elders. You’re so weak, be careful, don’t blame me if you die,” the Penglai Mountain Master said.

“…Okay,” Shen Ye said.

The Penglai Mountain Master’s figure flickered and disappeared.

After a few breaths.

A fiery talisman flew over and landed in front of Shen Ye.

A majestic voice emanated from the talisman:

“New disciple Zhao Wuchang, immediately come to the sect’s deliberation hall to prepare for the trial!”

Shen Ye felt a slight sigh.

Tens of thousands of years later, he had reached the third level of the trial.

Now he had to start all over again.

However…

To uncover the monster’s secrets, there was no other way.

A few minutes later.

Shen Ye and the other newcomers gathered in the main hall.

The elder activated the teleportation array.

Everyone was immediately teleported into the sacred relic.

…

A shimmer in the void.

Shen Ye appeared on the third floor of a tall building.

“Huh?”

He looked around in surprise.

In this era, trials come with save points?

A complete guard statue appeared in front of him:

“Detected that you have completed the first two rounds of trials. Do you wish to begin the third round now?”

“Start,” Shen Ye said.

“The third round is a free-for-all—defeat three opponents to advance to the next round.”

“—Begin!”

More than twenty figures appeared simultaneously.

Shen Ye knew at a glance that all these people were disciples of Penglai Mountain.

As for whether they were traitors—

He hadn’t had time to judge, but saw over twenty people all looking at him.

“This Zhao Wuchang, he’s not one of us.”

A disciple said.

“Your people…”

“Wait.”

Shen Ye was a little incredulous.

—Were all these twenty-odd people traitors? Or people planted by traitors?

“You just don’t know me, I only communicate through single lines.”

Shen Ye spoke.

In fact, he himself had previously met a few high-level traitors. Connecting with them now shouldn’t be a problem.

“Oh? Single line communication? May I ask which elder is your contact?”

The cultivator asked nonchalantly, drawing the spear from his back.

—It seemed as if if Shen Ye said one wrong word, he would be silenced!

Shen Ye smiled, cupped his hands, and said:

“Misunderstanding, we’re actually all on the same side.”

Just as he was about to continue, his expression subtly shifted.

Rows of faint luminous words quietly emerged:

“You have learned the dark gold level saber art ‘Interminable,’ although it still requires a lot of combat to fully develop its power, you’ve learned it nonetheless.”

“Now is the time to pay the price.”

“Please choose from the following options the price you are willing to pay for learning this saber art:”

“1. Find a way to connect with this group, become a new member, actively contribute to the atmosphere, serve tea, and bond with them.”

“2. Maintain purity.”

“Note that your choice will determine the growth direction of your saber art’s Dharma Aspect.”

Shen Ye slowly closed his mouth, the smile on his face disappearing.

The cultivator opposite immediately began to scold:

“Hey, kid, why are you talking halfway? Who exactly is your superior?”

Everyone looked at Shen Ye.

Shen Ye lowered his head, placed his hand on the Spring Rain Blade, and muttered:

“Good brothers, let’s all drop the ball together.”

Before he finished speaking, sudden changes occurred—

He was suddenly enveloped in a sharp, scarlet thorny light.

“He actually wants to attack us?” Someone laughed.

A group of people laughed along.

After all, these newcomers had never seen an Emperor Species from the universe, nor did they know the core talent abilities of an Emperor Species.

—Heavenly Mandate Thorns!

“Which one of you will fight me?” Shen Ye asked.

The leader stretched his neck and said:

“Of course—”

In an instant, the world suddenly turned dark.

A giant humanoid object crawled on the ground like a gecko, charging towards everyone.

“Monster!”

“Everyone, be careful.”

“Attack!”

Everyone chattered excitedly, drawing their weapons.

However, some couldn’t hold their weapons steady, some fell, and others drew their weapons at the wrong angle, stabbing their companions.

Some cramped their hands while forming magic seals, some sneezed while chanting spells, some unleashed a mighty fart while channeling their cultivation.

Noisy and flustered.

The gigantic black humanoid charged into the crowd, instantly scattering into a dense, impenetrable black blade light, filling the room with a mist of blood.

Clang!

Shen Ye emerged from the darkness, sheathing the Spring Rain Blade.

—Dark Gold Blade Art, Interminable!

A line of faint luminous words then appeared:

“You used the saber art ‘Interminable’ in actual combat, and your understanding of it has deepened slightly.”

The small words flashed and disappeared.

“No one attacked, huh…”

Shen Ye was a little regretful.

Scattered on the ground were five or six storage bags, seven or eight spatial rings, and various weapons.

All drops.

A small scene.

The blood mist gradually settled on the ground.

The entire trial ground returned to silence.

“Purity” achieved!

The price for the Spring Rain Blade’s saber art transmission has been paid!

The statue boomed, “Congratulations on passing the third-level trial. Now please proceed upstairs to the fourth level.”

Shen Ye looked at the stairs and suddenly asked:

“There was a person named Zhang Beichen, which level of the trial did he pass?”

“He passed the fourth level,” the statue said.

Shen Ye gathered up the items on the ground and turned to walk towards the steps.

Runes on the surrounding walls, steps, and ceiling all lit up, connecting into an array, gathering a summoning spell on him, constantly summoning the rules of the Law Realm to resonate with him.

This was the reward for passing the third-level trial!

With this power infused, coupled with the Dharma Aspect transformation rule obtained in the second trial—

Shen Ye’s Dharma Aspect began to change.

A blood moon shone intensely, towering over the sky.

Under the bloody light.

A phantom of a palace gradually appeared on the earth.

Shen Ye stopped, sat down cross-legged, and silently circulated the Tai Shang Oblivion & Dao Ascension Scripture.

At this time, the power of the Law Realm continuously surged into his body, and the Dao Scripture was already familiar. He had also prematurely prepared the transformation laws within his Dharma Aspect.

After about fifteen minutes.

A line of small words quietly emerged in the void:

“You have completed the Dharma Aspect of ‘Tai Shang Fate Binding Soul Refining Palace’.”

“Your Dharma Aspect has begun a complete transformation.”

“Congratulations.”

“You have now advanced to the ninth stage of the Law Realm.”

“Given that your Dharma Aspect has integrated the blood moon and soul palace, they will further merge and should take shape in approximately 24 hours.”

“Please wait patiently.”

All the small words vanished.

Shen Ye opened his eyes.

This time, his basic attributes didn’t increase.

But Shen Ye felt one thing—

All the power of the laws was used to construct his Dharma Aspect.

He wondered what the merged blood moon and soul palace Dharma Aspect of Hun Tian and Tong Tian would look like.

He truly looked forward to it.

However, he still needed to wait a day—

He got up and continued walking up the stairs.

Fourth floor.

The guard statue boomed, “On this level, you can choose to challenge an advanced cultivator of the sect—”

“At least 5 levels higher than you.”

“Gaining their sincere approval will allow you to pass.”

Shen Ye pondered for a moment, then summoned a Heaven-Connecting Gate, opening it just a crack. Through the gap, he asked:

“Mountain Master, among the mid-level cadres of our Penglai Mountain, who is the most despicable traitor?”

“Mid-level cadres… I generally understand what you mean, but why do you ask?”

The Penglai Mountain Master’s voice came through the crack in the door.

“I’m going to kill him,” Shen Ye explained.

“Liu Deshui,” the Penglai Mountain Master named a person.

“OK.” Shen Ye closed the door.

He snapped his fingers at the statue and said, “I want to fight Liu Deshui.”

“Summoning Liu Deshui. The fourth trial is about to begin.”

The statue boomed.

With a whoosh, the void opened, and a middle-aged man appeared in the trial arena.

He was stunned for only a moment, then immediately reacted, showing a decent smile:

“A trial for new sect disciples? How nostalgic. I also reached the fourth level back then.”

“Uncle Liu, did you pass the fourth level?” Shen Ye asked with a smile.

“No! That old fossil refused to go easy, he attacked me with full force, I couldn’t withstand it, so I had to admit defeat!” Liu Deshui laughed heartily.

“Then how about Uncle Liu goes easy on me?” Shen Ye asked.

“You’re called Zhao Wuchang, aren’t you? After this trial, have you decided which elder to apprentice under?” Liu Deshui asked.

“I’ll go find the Sect Master and apprentice under her,” Shen Ye said.

The smile on Liu Deshui’s face faded, he pulled a knife from the void, and said gently:

“…Seeing that you also use a knife, come, Senior Uncle will test your knife skills.”

Shen Ye smiled, pressing his hand to the hilt of his blade, and said, “Then will Senior Uncle go easy on me?”

“If you are willing to apprentice under the elders I mentioned, I will go easy on you in this round.”

“Are those elders even stronger than the Sect Master?”

“The Sect Master is too busy and doesn’t have time to teach you. The elders are mostly hands-on, which will allow you to grow better.”

“Thank you for your kind intentions, Senior Uncle.” Shen Ye said gratefully.

“You agree?” Liu Deshui asked.

“I still choose to apprentice under the Sect Master,” Shen Ye said.

The smile completely vanished from Liu Deshui’s face. His upper and lower teeth clenched tightly, and his eyes turned fierce.

“Since you insist, then so be it, Senior Uncle will still go easy on you.”

“Thank you, Senior Uncle.”

“Trial begins!” the statue loudly announced.

Both disappeared from their original positions simultaneously.

One could see thousands of sharp cold lights suddenly erupting in the void, clashing continuously, emitting dense, impenetrable sounds.

The light converged, and the two separated after a brief touch.

They had exchanged positions, each holding a long blade, standing in the arena.

“Young in age, but your blade skills are quite good.”

Liu Deshui praised, a faint blue spiritual light suddenly emerging from his body.

“Refined spiritual power?” Shen Ye asked.

“If one does not cultivate the Tai Shang Oblivion & Dao Ascension Scripture, how can one truly be called a disciple of Penglai?” Liu Deshui said.

Shen Ye was so familiar with the Dao Scripture that he only needed a few glances to say:

“Refining spiritual power can directly enhance strength—I observe, Senior Uncle, that this spiritual light can at least double your attributes and attack power.”

“…Good insight. Have you also cultivated the Dao Scripture?” Liu Deshui asked.

“Just a little bit,” Shen Ye said.

“I’ll give you another chance. After you leave, I’ll introduce you to a good teacher, guaranteeing you both fame and fortune, and a brilliant future,” Liu Deshui said.

Shen Ye said nothing, a heavy white spiritual light suddenly erupting from his entire body.

He pressed his blade to the ground, stood motionless, quietly feeling the changes in his power.

The spiritual light emitted tiny white motes, spreading outwards, gradually forming a translucent, luminous battle armor.

—Nine Heavens Profound Light, all powers increased fivefold!

Liu Deshui was stunned.

“Is this also… refined spiritual power?” he asked.

“That’s right, but of course it can’t compare to Senior Uncle—after all, someone is helping Senior Uncle thrive in the sect, gaining both fame and fortune, and a brilliant future,” Shen Ye said with a smile.

Liu Deshui’s face darkened.

Even a fool could tell that Shen Ye was mocking him.

“You brat,” Liu Deshui’s tone remained calm, “our strength differs by a full five levels, you shouldn’t be too—.”

Before he finished speaking, he had already disappeared from where he stood.

The corner of Shen Ye’s mouth subtly curved upwards as he raised the Spring Rain Blade high and brought it down with force.

In a flash of lightning.

Rows of faint luminous words frantically appeared:

“You unleashed your bloodline, completing bloodline activation and changing into an Emperor Species.”

“All basic attributes increased by 200 points.”

“Under the blessing of ‘Nine Heavens Profound Light’, all basic attributes are increased fivefold.”

“All of your attributes have exceeded 1000 points.”

Clang!

The sound reverberated throughout the arena.

The Emperor Species, nearly three meters tall, stood in the center of the arena, his Spring Rain Blade tearing through the void and instantly shattering the opponent’s blade.

Senior Uncle Liu flew backward, both hands covered in dripping blood, rolling onto the ground.

“My Lord!”

Seeing Shen Ye’s appearance, he cried out in alarm:

“This subordinate was blind and failed to recognize you as a Demonic Lord!”

He knelt on the ground, repeatedly cupping his hands in salute, then, thinking better of it, he quickly kowtowed.

“Please forgive me, my Lord!”

“This humble one is willing to serve you, my Lord, without any falsehood.”

Pfft.

A muffled thud.

The long blade pierced through Senior Uncle Liu’s chest, impaling him on the blade tip and hoisting him high.

“Then many thanks indeed.”

Shen Ye spoke.

“Don’t kill me! My Lord, I have long since pledged allegiance to you, this is true!” Senior Uncle Liu cried out in panic.

The blade moved.

The body was split into two.

A line of small words popped out:

“Please continue to hone your saber art and unleash its full power.”

A staircase leading to the upper level appeared.

“Fourth-level trial passed!” the statue shouted from the side.

Shen Ye returned to human form, silently contemplating the recent blade technique and transformation.

The small words disappeared.

Emperor Species bloodline.

Nine Heavens Profound Light blessing.

Various terms.

—Unknowingly, he had already surpassed ordinary level limitations.

Now.

If he returned to the death planet, he could be considered a capable fighter, right?

He looked up at the ascending stairs.

—The real Zhang Beichen passed the fourth level and died on it.

Should he go up now?

After all, that monster had already transformed into Zhang Beichen and gone to Haoyang Heavenly Palace.

Shen Ye hesitated for a moment, then finally took a few steps back.

He watched the ascending stairs from a distance until rows of faint luminous words appeared before his eyes:

“You have cast ‘Tool of Fate’ upon yourself.”

“Current profiling results for you are:”

“At the very top of the mountain ridge, there is a path as thin as a finger;”

“You walk in the darkness upon this path, unaware that on both sides lie bottomless abysses;”

“Those marked by the abyss have never had a chance to escape;”

“Unless you surpass everyone who came before you, only then can you forge a new path—”

“Advance, for even vibrant life has a day of wilting, and at the moment of your termination, you will finally glimpse the true secret;”

“Retreat, perhaps one day you will be grateful for today’s choice, even if there are no companions standing beside you;”

Drip.

Drip, drip, drip—

Shen Ye averted his gaze from the destiny profile and looked towards the source of the sound.

Blood.

Blood silently spread across the stairs, dripping onto the ground.

Advance?

Or retreat?

Only children make choices.

Adults, having seen the world’s choices, often want both!

Shen Ye’s mind stirred.

The mythical term “Scandal Protagonist” activated!

Taking advantage of this information-type term’s effect, Shen Ye opened a Heaven-Connecting Gate and directly returned to Penglai Mountain.

This was not all—

He leaped, traversed through numerous mountain peaks, and directly swept out of the mountain gate.

In an instant.

Zhao Wuchang disappeared.

Tens of thousands of years later.

Third level of the Ruin Trials.

Shen Ye quietly appeared, holding a demonized gem.

“Go.”

He said lightly.

Contemporaneously.

Tens of thousands of years ago, the fourth floor of the sacred relic trial ground.

There was a clang of a blade in the void.

It was the Invisible Demonic Fiend drawing the Spring Rain Blade.

Its figure leaped, directly unleashing a dazzling blade light that cut open the floor, landing on the fifth floor of the trial grounds.

On this floor, dozens of corpses lay.

Blood flowed like a river.

On the ceiling of this floor, a crack caught the attention of the Invisible Demonic Fiend.

A black tentacle stretched out from the crack, trembling slightly in the air, seemingly sensing the previous blade strike and searching for any potential enemies.

A line of bullet comments subtly appeared:

“Don’t move, it will discover you if you move.”

This is Chalukitori, the Creator of the Fourth Era!

Thanks to the mythical term “Scandal Protagonist”, she came to communicate with Shen Ye.

“It’s so strange, why is there a crack above the fifth level of this ruin? And why is that monster located exactly within this crack?”

As Shen Ye spoke, an unbelievable thought suddenly came to his mind.

“Penglai Mountain—could it be—”

“Is it its seal?”

If so, everything made sense.

Penglai Mountain—

Or rather, the human civilization’s “Supreme Immortal Kingdom” sealed this “Terminator of all eras”!

Two lines of bullet comments appeared again:

“I’ve observed it carefully, and things are just as you said, this is the location of the Era Seal.”

“It completely absorbed the monster’s power and sealed it here!”

“There’s only one way to activate the Era Seal—”

“Simultaneously use Heaven-Shaking, Heaven-Confusing, and Heaven-Penetrating Arts from within the seal.”

“If so, the Terminator of All Eras will break free from the seal and destroy everything in the Fifth Era!”

Shen Ye’s mind suddenly became clear.

He finally understood!

No wonder there was a line in the earlier fate profile of “Zhang Beichen”:

“At this critical moment of the Immortal Kingdom’s destruction, it cautiously yearned for freedom.”

—It was afraid!

It was afraid that the Three Arts would be lost!

The Three Arts were indispensable; if any one of them was lost, it would never be able to escape from the Era Seal!

“Lord Ch’arukitoryk, please lend me a hand.”

Shen Ye said.

“What do you want to do?” asked Chalukitoryk, the Creator of the Fourth Era.

“I need to forget the Dao Scripture again.”

Shen Ye said.

As he spoke, tens of thousands of years ago—

The original Invisible Demonic Fiend stood motionless on the fifth floor of the trial arena, quietly watching the black tentacle.

If its master forgot the Dao Scripture.

It would cease to exist.

—No matter how powerful the enemy, they could not kill that which “ceased to exist”.