Gates of the Myriad Realms Chapter 434

Driftwood.

Or rather, a raft.

As soon as Shen Ye entered the Primordial Relic, he landed on the vast ocean.

Only a small raft bobbed with the waves.

And the person poling the raft was an acquaintance.

“It’s you?”

Both exclaimed at the same time.

Opposite him was a man with a pipe in his mouth, dressed in a grey leather jacket, with two daggers at his waist, and a wary expression.

— The front-line liaison of the Shadow Brotherhood!

“Brother Paige, is that really you?”

The liaison asked.

Shen Ye didn’t hesitate to make the “I love you” secret gesture, and said in a deep voice:

“It’s indeed me—what are you doing here?”

The liaison saw the brotherhood gesture and involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief.

“Whenever a Primordial Relic appears, beings from our Nightmare World are forcefully drawn into the relic to serve as a neutral party, providing various support for the team battle.”

He pointed to the wooden oar in his hand and continued, “I must serve as a ferryman here to earn a small reward and then return to the Nightmare World.”

“Have you always been a ferryman?” Shen Ye asked.

“Not really. During the last team battle, I was a peddler, responsible for selling various information and sundries in the safe areas outside the battlefield,” the Brotherhood liaison said.

Many memories flashed through Shen Ye’s mind.

— He remembered some more things.

The Nightmare World was now a world no one could enter.

Aside from that, all the things he had done in the Nightmare World remained unchanged.

“Does everyone have to work here?”

Shen Ye asked.

“Not everyone. There’s a draw, depending on the relic’s opening conditions,” the liaison said.

Shen Ye nodded.

He hadn’t expected—

The entities of this world had been turned into a neutral faction by the Primordial Relic.

“Are you going to that island? If I take you there, I can get off work.”

The Brotherhood liaison said.

“Alright, please take me there,” Shen Ye said.

The raft moved again.

Before long.

The island ahead was mostly visible.

The raft washed onto the beach.

“We’ll stop here,” the Brotherhood liaison said.

“Okay.” Shen Ye prepared to disembark.

“Wait a moment—”

The Brotherhood liaison took a revolver from his waist and handed it to Shen Ye.

“The last person to enter will receive this technological artifact.”

“Thank you.” Shen Ye took the pistol.

It was a gleaming silver revolver with a pure black grip and six bullet chambers.

A faint glow appeared as small text:

“The Announcer.”

“Blue equipment, personal custom-made.”

“Description: Repels the enemy, preventing them from attacking for one second.”

“Six special rounds can be obtained daily.”

“—The glory of the meritorious.”

Shen Ye gradually came to a realization.

“Is this gun from the Nightmare World?” he asked.

“No, this was a sudden requirement just now. I had to give it to the last person to join,” the liaison said.

“Who issued it?” Shen Ye asked.

“I don’t know,” the liaison said.

Shen Ye nodded.

— It seems the multi-layered cosmos gave this to him.

“One last tip:”

“In the Primordial Relic, strength will not be suppressed. Whatever level of the dharma realm you are, it will be fully displayed.”

“Alright, understood. Farewell.” Shen Ye said.

“Farewell.”

The raft gradually disappeared.

Shen Ye stood on the beach, first putting away the pistol, then looking towards the dense jungle.

No.

Something on the ground seemed to be glittering.

Shen Ye lowered his head to look, finding a message in a bottle.

He picked up the bottle, opened the cork, and saw an old note inside.

Unfolding it, he saw scribbled small words:

“The power of the epoch has finally unfolded.”

“Our victory will receive the proper reward.”

“The one who made all this happen—”

“You naturally know all the information about the relic.”

Shen Ye quickly finished reading.

Information?

Naturally know?

Interesting.

The multi-layered cosmos is very generous!

As he pondered, a sea breeze suddenly swept in, and the old note scattered into countless fragments, drifting away with the wind.

With a “thud.”

A book dropped and landed in his hand.

On the cover of the book were two large characters:

“Information.”

Very good, straight to the point.

Opening the cover, the first page read:

“This book is formed by your three spells, capable of connecting with ‘Primordial,’ the ultimate power of the Fifth Epoch, and accessing all its information.”

“Current location: Sea Serpent Island Relic.”

“The distribution of monsters and treasure burial points are as follows:”

“Please turn the page.”

Shen Ye turned to the second page.

The second page was blurry, nothing could be seen clearly, only a line of small text:

“Paid chapter.”

What the hell!

Shen Ye wished he could throw the book on the ground.

Isn’t this something formed by my three spells?

Why does it still charge money?

Perhaps knowing what he was thinking, two more lines of small text appeared:

“To connect with ‘Primordial’ for information, you need precious metals and various treasures to activate the传送阵 (teleportation array).”

“—This is reasonable.”

Reasonable my ass!

You’re using my intelligence against me, aren’t you?

Shen Ye was a little annoyed and was about to say something more when he heard a earth-shattering roar from deep within the island.

The sound waves generated by the roar turned into a tempest, sweeping around and spreading in all directions.

So strong!

No, he couldn’t argue anymore, he had to figure out the situation immediately!

Shen Ye directly placed a lump of gold on the book.

The gold disappeared.

A line of small text quickly appeared on the book:

“Thank you for your genuine subscription. Every support you give will promote original content—”

“Hurry up! The situation is bad!” Shen Ye interrupted.

— He had vaguely heard a scream just now.

On the page, new small text quickly appeared:

“Attention!”

“There are three creatures from other ultimate creations lurking on the island.”

“The main purpose of this Primordial Relic’s appearance is to:”

“Show the world what fear is.”

Shen Ye’s heart skipped a beat.

Show the world what fear is?

That purpose is a bit brutal.

Damn it.

Besides himself, Jian Ji was still inside.

Can’t mess around, have to run quickly!

— Was there a way out?

As he was thinking, the book “thumped” and disappeared.

Immediately afterwards.

A map appeared in his mind.

The map had various markers, covering monsters, labyrinths, treasures, hidden spots, safe houses, and so on.

— And the six people who arrived earlier.

That’s right.

That information book was formed when his three techniques reached their highest level; it was his inherent ability.

Shen Ye narrowed his eyes slightly and began to observe the map.

— He first saw a moving professional, marked as “Magician” on the map.

In front of the “Magician” was a monster named “Butcher.”

The moment the two met—

The word “Death” appeared above the “Magician’s” head.

Another moment passed.

The “Magician” disappeared.

Was he eaten, or do the dead automatically disappear from the map?

He didn’t know.

But dying in such a short time was truly terrifying.

Logically speaking.

Not only would he give up his spot, but any other professional chosen would also have to weigh their own strength.

Professionals who dared to enter the Primordial Relic must be top experts in the universe.

But they couldn’t even last one round?

Shen Ye couldn’t help but recall the scene when he broke through the barrier and reached the well of human heads.

The monsters there were also from other ultimate creations.

Even the Creator died there!

At this moment, another person marked “Magic Spear Warrior” moved towards the “Butcher’s” location.

He must have heard the commotion.

“Don’t go—”

Shen Ye involuntarily blurted out.

The “Magic Spear Warrior” collided with the “Butcher”!

A “Death” marker popped out above the “Magic Spear Warrior.”

The “Magic Spear Warrior” disappeared from the map.

Another one dead!

— What the hell are we fighting for then?

Shen Ye immediately looked to the other side of the map.

A target marked “Swordsman” was moving rapidly.

This should be Jian Ji.

She quickly met a monster marked “Parasitic Demon.”

Shen Ye’s heart was in his throat.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Jian Ji didn’t die!

She maneuvered with the monster for several breaths, then suddenly disappeared from that path, reappearing on the other side of the island.

— It was a special movement treasure!

Shen Ye came to his senses, drew a playing card, and sent a communication to Jian Ji through the Tower of Tarot.

Jian Ji had just found a secret passage leading underground.

Sensing the movement of the card, she pulled it out and replied, “Shen Ye? I’m in the Primordial Relic. Let’s talk about it when I get back.”

As she spoke, she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The battle just now had been too dangerous.

If not for a forced movement Tarot card, she might have been killed by the monster by now.

“No—Sister Jian Ji, I got some information that I must tell you about the relic,” Shen Ye quickly said.

Jian Ji paused, then didn’t hang up the communication.

“Listen, if you find a secret passage leading to an underground labyrinth, absolutely do not go down that passage. There’s a most formidable guy down there.”

“You need to explore the left wall of the passage, find a hollow spot, there’s a mechanism there, and inside is a safe room.”

“—I paid a hefty price for this information!”

Shen Ye quickly finished speaking.

Jian Ji listened while observing her surroundings.

A secret passage leading to an underground labyrinth—

Wasn’t she on this very path?

What a coincidence.

“Is the information accurate?” Jian Ji asked.

“Absolutely! Trust me!” Shen Ye guaranteed.

“Alright—if I gain something, I’ll protect your parents for a longer period when I return.”

The communication ended.

Jian Ji put away her cards and quickly bandaged her left arm, stopping the bleeding from the wound.

She reached out and tapped the wall.

The crisp sound echoed far.

After listening with closed eyes for several breaths, Jian Ji suddenly flew several hundred meters forward and placed her hand on a brick.

With a low rumble.

The wall opened.

Indeed, there was a secret passage inside.

“This kid actually managed to get this level of information.”

Jian Ji praised, then walked into the secret passage.

Rumble—

The wall closed.

Candlelight automatically ignited.

Jian Ji held the hilt of her sword and observed her surroundings.

She saw that it was an extremely crude warehouse, piled with various old and decaying objects.

No sense of danger.

Jian Ji breathed a sigh of relief and began to examine the items.

She opened a dusty box and took out a set of tea ware, examining it carefully.

“Quite exquisite patterns, and they carry a certain meaning.”

“I’ve traveled through many layers of the universe and haven’t seen this kind of cultural artifact…”

“I’ll take them all.”

In an instant.

Everything was collected by her.

Following the path in the warehouse, she continued forward and saw a wooden door.

Jian Ji pushed open the door.

Inside was another warehouse.

However, this warehouse was not full of things.

On a high platform, a pair of gloves emitting a faint blue light floated.

“It seems to be a treasure…”

Jian Ji stepped forward and took the gloves.

Rumble—

The door behind the warehouse opened again.

She put away the gloves first and continued forward.

Passing through the door—

“Eh?”

Jian Ji looked around in surprise.

This was the secret base of the Tower of Tarot.

She had previously completed the transfer here and entered the Primordial Relic.

“Back so soon?”

Xu Xingke asked in surprise.

“…It was quite fast,” Jian Ji said with a complicated expression, “I have a pair of gloves. I need you to appraise them.”

“Good harvest?” Xu Xingke smiled.

“Thanks to your student, otherwise I don’t know if I’d have made it back alive,” Jian Ji said.

“What’s the situation?”

“This seems to be the real deal, not the petty tests from before.”

“…Are the monsters very strong?”

“Extremely strong. Even when I fully unleashed my power, I could only barely last until the Tarot card activated.”

“That’s trouble then.”

…

On the other side.

Shen Ye also breathed a sigh of relief.

When Jian Ji walked out of the door leading to the outside world, the secret passage and the warehouse disappeared together.

— It seems the relic only allowed one person to return via that path.

What about the others?

Shen Ye silently observed the map and suddenly found a hidden spot marked “Abandoned Exchange.”

The name sounded a bit interesting.

It didn’t look far on the map, and there weren’t many monsters on the way.

But why should he take the risk?

Two professionals had been taken out in an instant.

If he encountered monsters from other ultimate creations on the way, it would be difficult to survive.

Wait a moment—

Shen Ye examined the map carefully.

The entire screen was filled with monsters.

— Besides himself, only one professional was still alive.

This professional was also formidable, able to battle monsters for a long time.

Should he help?

Although his strength wasn’t great, he had a revolver that could temporarily incapacitate monsters.

As Shen Ye was thinking, his eyes suddenly narrowed.

On the map, the professional was marked as “Heavy Hammer Knight,” but during the battle with the monster, the marker suddenly changed to “Word Spirit Sorcerer,” then to “Five Elements Cultivator,” and then to “Wind Thunder Martial Artist.”

He possessed four professions!

Shen Ye’s heart was greatly shaken, but he saw the professional’s profession marker on his head still changing wildly.

In a mere few breaths, the profession above his head had changed dozens of times.

And the monster next to him suddenly stopped in place.

— The monster wasn’t pursuing anymore!

Strange.

Did he kill the monster?

But the monster’s marker still appeared on the map.

The professional gradually moved away from the monster.

— Now his mark was “Demon Slayer Mage.”

This mark moved slowly on the map, then suddenly accelerated, rushing towards Shen Ye’s direction.

A heavy shadow filled Shen Ye’s heart, and his mind became muddled.

This was a strange feeling.

— It was like being bound by some invisible force, sinking little by little towards decay and death.

It could affect him even from such a distance?

Shen Ye took a deep breath, placed his hand in the void, and let out a low cry:

“Door!”

A towering gate quietly appeared.

Using the distance between himself and the “Abandoned Exchange” as an obstacle, he then opened the door and stepped through.

The next moment.

Shen Ye appeared in a dark room.

Looking out through the tightly closed windows, he could see a huge figure on a distant field ridge.

It was a humanoid monster, named “Embodiment of Despair” on the map.

Frankly, it looked more like some kind of arthropod than a human, yet it possessed a human body.

Shen Ye narrowed his eyes slightly and observed the map again.

He saw that the professional on the map suddenly stopped.

He stood still, seemingly probing something—

Two patrolling monsters appeared from the front and back, trapping him.

The battle began!

Shen Ye’s whole body relaxed.

The cursed feeling he had before suddenly vanished.

— Something’s wrong!

This was clearly something the other party did.

How amazing, to be able to affect him from a distance without even knowing who he was.

Shen Ye kept an eye on the map while examining the abandoned house.

There were three long rows of filing cabinets, a spacious desk, and two chairs behind the desk.

Shen Ye pulled open a bookshelf to look.

It was empty.

But the desk, bookshelves, and chairs were all clean, as if they had just been wiped.

It seemed someone had done some work here before.

But now it was deserted.

Indeed, it was an “Abandoned Exchange.”

Shen Ye pondered for a few breaths, then suddenly recalled what the Brotherhood liaison had said:

“Whenever a Primordial Relic appears, our Nightmare World’s inhabitants will be forcefully drawn into the relic to serve as a neutral party, providing various support for the team battle.”

Neutral party.

But—

There was no one here.

Shen Ye crossed his arms, contemplating for a few breaths.

Beings from the Nightmare World…

He had one.

“Big Skeleton.”

Shen Ye called out.

The void opened, and the Big Skeleton landed in the room, looking around warily.

“What’s up? Time to fight?”

“Not for now, you go stand behind that table.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, just try it.”

“…Okay.”

The Big Skeleton knew that Shen Ye’s mind was not on the same frequency as ordinary people, so it didn’t bother to ask more and simply stood behind the table.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

“Hey? What’s going on!” the Big Skeleton suddenly exclaimed.

A formal black professional attire suddenly appeared on it, and a red bow tie was tied around its throat bone.

Immediately afterwards.

A scale quietly appeared on the table.

Good!

“Do you have any new prompts now?” Shen Ye asked.

“I received a message in my mind. It seems I can conduct underground transactions with professionals here, specifically selling a type of equipment modification and upgrade certificate.”

The Big Skeleton said, taking out a palm-sized document from a drawer and placing it on one of the scale trays.

“You need to place treasures of sufficient value on the other tray. When both sides are balanced, you can take the certificate.”

The Big Skeleton explained.

Shen Ye nodded slightly, thoughtful.

This abandoned exchange, though he didn’t know why it hadn’t opened, clearly needed someone to operate it to become effective.

Now the people of the Nightmare World had become a neutral party, serving the team battle.

It had to be operated by them.

The Big Skeleton was originally from the Nightmare World and was always by his side—

It was like a “joker” card, able to fill any vacant position as a neutral party.

Shen Ye rubbed his ring, took out some gems and gold, and placed them on the other tray of the scale.

When the two trays leveled, the gems and gold vanished.

The Big Skeleton stood up and bowed respectfully:

“Congratulations, esteemed adventurer. This equipment modification and upgrade certificate is yours.”

It handed the document to Shen Ye.

“Cover it over your equipment to activate its effect.”

Shen Ye took it, and was about to recall the Big Skeleton when he saw it winking at him.

It was hard for a skeleton to wink.

It had no eyeballs, only burning soul fire in its eye sockets.

So for a skeleton to wink, the soul fire had to flicker constantly, and the bones around its eye sockets had to squeeze together slightly, producing a few minor cracks.

— Is there anything else?

Shen Ye was a little bewildered.

“Your wisdom, remember, your wisdom!” the Big Skeleton communicated telepathically.

“Hahaha, esteemed trader,” Shen Ye laughed, handing a piece of gold to the Big Skeleton and asking, “I’m an old customer, you have anything good, don’t forget me!”

“You’re on the ball!” the Big Skeleton praised inwardly.

It took the document from Shen Ye’s hand, then opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a document with a golden pattern.

“Dedicated to serving you, esteemed VIP member,” the Big Skeleton said.

Shen Ye took the document and looked at it again.

— Is it over?

The Big Skeleton suddenly jumped up, first tearing off its red bow tie, then taking off its work uniform, and shouted:

“Done!”

“Do you have any rewards?” Shen Ye asked.

The Big Skeleton spread its hands, revealing the eerie undead soul fire.

“Completing the work strengthened my soul fire by 30%,” it said excitedly.

Shen Ye nodded.

Thus, the operating mechanism of this abandoned exchange was basically understood.

“That equipment modification and upgrade certificate you have is a rare treasure. I recommend using it on something good.”

The Big Skeleton reminded.

Shen Ye drew out his Spring Rain Blade and tried to stick the document to its back.

The golden document quietly disappeared.

Lines of faint text appeared:

“Your longblade ‘Spring Rain’ has undergone the baptism of the Fifth Epoch’s power, and its might has been increased, as follows:”

“Spring Rain.”

“Mythical grade blade, possessing special power: Wind and Thunder (+1).”

“Description: Wind condenses as an extension of the blade’s edge, its power undiminished; thunder gathers as the blade’s force, irresistible.”

“(+1) Effect: Each hit on a target will cause the target to lose 1% of its health.”

“—The primordial divine power of the Fifth Epoch.”

“This blade possesses the mythical descriptor: One Night in a Small Tower, Listening to Spring Rain (+1).”

“Description: With your blade technique, connect with the vast dharma realm, allowing endless laws to deduce blade techniques for you until your blade technique improves, limited to once a day.”

“(+1) Effect: Learning blade techniques no longer requires paying a price.”

— This trip was not in vain!

Shen Ye put away his blade and was about to speak when a sense of unease suddenly weld up in his heart.

He looked at the map in his mind again.

— That “Demon Slayer Mage” was gone!

No!!!

A dark shadow flashed across the map, then overlapped with Shen Ye’s position.

Shen Ye’s thoughts raced, and he suddenly pulled out a rooster and placed it on his shoulder.

Godly Rooster of Benevolence!

The rooster was full of spirit, with a circular tree branch ring in its beak, standing on one leg on his shoulder, looking around.

In an instant.

Tiny glowing text furiously popped up:

“The Benevolent God Rooster nipped the wondrous item ring ‘Frost and Snow Plum Blossom,’ completing an emergency disguise.”

“‘Pretty Chicken’ has been successfully cast!”

“Wielding ‘Pretty Chicken’ to deter enemies, the enemy will confirm that your strength is no less than theirs by the changes in your power fluctuations.”

Shen Ye looked around.

He didn’t see that guy.

But on the map, that guy was here in this abandoned exchange!

Why didn’t he appear?

He—

Discovered something?

“Which friend, since you’re here, come out and show yourself.”

Shen Ye spoke coldly.

A dull, stiff voice suddenly rang out:

“Unbelievable, there’s actually a presence here that can reach above the baseline.”

The void twisted.

A person appeared beside Shen Ye.

— He was wearing a cultivator’s robe, with a pale face and cold expression.

“Your blade is good.”

The person said.

“Naturally, it’s good,” Shen Ye said.

“But I wonder about your blade techniques?”

“You can try.”

As he spoke, layered hellish dharmakayas quietly emerged behind Shen Ye.

The exclusive dharmakaya of the blade technique “Avici”!

“Good blade technique,” the person said, moved.

“Want to spar?” Shen Ye raised the Spring Rain Blade, inviting.

The wind and thunder slowly rose from the long blade.

— Each hit is guaranteed to deplete 1% of health.

Are you willing to try?

The person stood woodenly, paused for a few breaths, then said:

“A strong person like you is qualified to join us and explore the Primordial Relic with us.”

“Us?” Shen Ye repeated.

The person slowly said, “Yes, we are the strongest human organization in the universe. We are called—”

“The White Horse Society.”

Shen Ye’s heart skipped a beat.

White Horse Society?

— A white horse is not a horse!