Chapter 1191: Immortal Gate Appears
The wind rose, and mist drifted. This was a mysterious small realm of spirits, where flowing springs and divine light swayed together, and waterfalls danced alongside feathered birds.
According to legend, this was a small realm left behind by the ancient gods, obtained by the people of the Ancient Divine Dynasty and transformed into their hall.
Cinnabar cliffs and strange rocks stood tall, with jagged peaks rising abruptly, purple qi surging, and strange beasts lurking and vanishing. There were also vast stretches of green ridges, shrouded in hazy mist.
In the deepest part lay a bone structure, covered in a gray, hazy primordial light—heavy, solid, solemn, and dignified, yet oppressive.
This was the ancient hall of the Mortal World. Since its establishment, it had never been breached by anyone, representing death, despair, and the eerie and terrifying.
A massive white bone lay ahead, a spine several hundred zhang long that had remained undecayed for over a hundred thousand years, its luster still intact. This was a colossal ancient beast.
In the past, it was slain here, its bones sawed off to build the hall, and the remaining spine was turned into array flags to guard this place.
At the center of this bone structure was the most ancient hall of the Mortal World. The gray mist was so thick it could not be dispersed, and the killing intent spanned the ages, thread-like yet tangible, emanating outward.
It was actually built from the remains of kings and saints!
Its scale was not large; compared to those majestic, towering halls, it could be considered small, capable of holding only a few people. But its ancient, weathered aura and killing intent were far beyond what other buildings could match.
This was the most sacred ancient hall of the Mortal World!
White bones gleamed with a flowing luster. They were not just the withered bones of saints but also the skulls of extraordinary individuals with special physiques, looking extremely eerie and terrifying.
"The decaying aura of the Mortal World grows thicker. The path to immortality is about to open, yet the remnants of the Heavenly Court still exist in this world. They must be eradicated root and branch."
A hoarse voice emerged, so aged it seemed on the verge of death at any moment, filling the entire bone hall with a sinister, chilling atmosphere.
"The Heavenly Court has produced a Killing Saint who has been searching for the location of this small spirit realm. If not eliminated, he will surely become a disaster." Another sinister voice sounded, carrying a decaying aura.
This was a terrifying hall, built from bones, with the skin of ancient saints spread on the floor as a carpet, emitting a piercing luster.
"Just remnants, long past the glory of the ancient times. They cannot amount to much. I have already preliminarily determined where Heavenly Village is located." The aged voice sneered coldly.
"Wait quietly for them to successfully refine the evolution liquid, then wipe them out completely. They will only serve as a wedding gift, bringing a heaven-defying fortune to the Mortal World and Hell!"
These were two Killing Saints, who had lived for who knows how many years. Their skin clung to their bones, their eyes were sunken, and their hair was like weeds, resembling vengeful spirits.
They were even older than Qi Luo, their bloodlines withered, but their combat power was terrifyingly boundless. They had attained the Dao through killing, specializing in slaying saints!
"Two ancestors have been in death-seclusion for so many years. I wonder if they have broken through. If they truly become Great Saints, who in this world would still be feared!"
"The flesh and blood of the Killing Ancestors are nearly withered, but their cultivation is astonishing across the ages. Even before the world changed, they could already reach the heavens and earth. Unfortunately, that final step is too difficult to take."
If the outside world heard the discussion of these two Killing Saints, they would be horrified. The Mortal World and Hell were far more terrifying than people imagined, with more than just two Killing Saints guarding them.
"As long as Gai Jiuyou does not die, the two Killing Ancestors will always have their concerns."
Above them, there were actually two more Killing Ancestors. Even before the world changed, they could already look down upon all living beings. But their lifespans were withered, and they generally did not act.
And it was these two who had once tracked the Old Madman, nearly making a move in the shadows, but ultimately held back.
"To destroy the remnants of the Heavenly Court, the two ancestors would likely disdain to act. We will present that precious liquid to extend their lifespans, allowing the ancestors to relax a little."
Those were two ancient saints who refused to move a muscle, having lived for far too long!
"Gai Jiuyou has lived too long, but he should be nearing his end..." The eerie words echoed within the hall of the Ancient Divine Dynasty.
"No one in the world can find this small spirit realm. Rest assured, we can slaughter Heavenly Village cleanly. Whatever supreme yang bodies, outstanding talents, or heaven-defying prodigies there are will all become dry bones to pile up this hall."
In recent days, the outside world was in chaos. The expeditionary force had gone to the Eternal Main Star, and there had been no news for many days.
Meanwhile, ancient sages from beyond the domain appeared from time to time, causing unrest in the Big Dipper Star Domain, with a great storm imminent at any moment.
Suddenly, a terrifying aura swept across the land, surging from beyond the heavens. Mortals felt only a tremor in their hearts, but even if they noticed, they could see nothing.
Ancient saints changed color, their souls trembling. Something monumental must have happened. Some quickly shot into the sky.
"The path to immortality has opened!"
On this day, a shocking message surged from beyond the domain, shaking the Big Dipper!
"What? The immortal path has appeared? It... truly exists, and it has appeared today?!"
This was undoubtedly explosive news. The saints were unsettled, the ten thousand clans were in an uproar, and many experts flew toward the battlefield beyond the domain.
It came so suddenly that everyone was caught off guard. Many powerful cultivators shouted, tearing through the void to rush to the scene.
"Why is it beyond the domain, not on the ancient star..."
Some were suspicious, but they could not afford to dwell on it. Opportunities were fleeting; only decisive action could yield results.
This was an explosive day!
The appearance of the path to immortality was almost unbelievable.
"Is it a rumor or a conspiracy?"
"How can this be? Wasn't it said to appear on the Big Dipper ancient star?"
Even those with doubts could not hesitate. They rushed to the scene to verify and understand thoroughly.
People went mad. All the saints moved at once!
Even those who were not saints, cultivators from all clans, could not restrain themselves. They followed their patriarchs, their hearts surging with excitement.
The people of Heavenly Village were naturally alarmed as well and rushed beyond the domain. Even the Killing Saint Qi Luo temporarily left the Primordial Qi Cauldron to see what was happening.
"It really is an immortal gate, but unfortunately, no one can enter. It flickers in and out of existence, appearing and disappearing beyond the domain!" Early-arriving cultivators discussed excitedly.
Ye Fan and the others arrived. After chasing for two days, they finally caught a glimpse of the immortal trace. It was a ethereal immortal gate, hazy and peaceful, which even ancient saints could not approach.
It moved too fast, dreamlike and illusory, crossing the starry sky in an instant and spanning the ages in a flash.
"Can you sense it? The hazy glow it emits is most likely immortal qi. Even from this distance, it makes saints want to bow in worship!"
This was a grand spectacle. People used various means to get closer.
"This is a divine gate, very unstable. Where does it truly lead? Is the immortal domain really behind it?"
"Someone went in! Someone succeeded! An old Saint King from the Primordial Royal Clan charged into the immortal gate!" someone shouted, utterly shocked.
A cry came from within the immortal gate, followed by loud laughter, and then the gate quickly vanished.
People boiled over, chasing after its traces, but they could not find it again.
Two days later, the immortal gate reappeared. The old patriarch of the Fire Qilin Cave pursued it with the ancient imperial weapon, but the gate seemed to have a will, instantly fleeing far away, brushing past him.
"Haha..." A Saint King from the Huntian Clan entered it, letting out extremely joyful laughter inside, as if he had discovered the most exciting thing.
"It really connects to the immortal domain! Otherwise, why would they be so delighted?"
The heroes were invigorated, their eyes reddening as they fought over the immortal gate, searching beyond the domain for this flickering portal.
"This is a crack in the immortal domain, a sign that the path to immortality is about to open. It truly connects to the immortal domain!" the old patriarch of the Blood Phoenix Mountain roared.
With this news, the region beyond the domain exploded.
In ancient times, some ancient emperors speculated that when the path to immortality opened, terrifying immortal power fluctuations would inevitably appear, first piercing the barriers between the two realms.
During this time, some small cracks in the immortal domain would inevitably appear, also leading to the immortal domain.
"Even if this is not an immortal gate, it is a portal left by ancient gods, leading to a supreme chaotic divine land. After the master's death for endless ages, it has opened again. The faint traces of its aura are too mysterious—it might be divine qi!"
A second theory emerged, as such things had happened in ancient times. Whoever could enter would surely gain a great opportunity.
People's eyes were bloodshot, and they all erupted. Whether it was an immortal gate or a chaotic divine land, it would be a great fortune. Whoever could enter might ascend to heaven in one step.
Battle was naturally inevitable. Whenever this divine gate appeared, a great storm would follow, with many bloody incidents!
But after many days, only three people had successfully entered, all of them Saint Kings. The rest could not compete.
"It's out! It appeared again!"
Amid the shouts, accompanied by life-and-death struggles, a group of people charged forward, fighting for the right to enter the immortal path.
Ye Fan was horrified. Was this a preview of the path to immortality's opening? What kind of great battle would come in the future? Just this mysterious gate had already caused bloody battles beyond the domain.
Ordinary cultivators were utterly inadequate. They turned into bloody mist upon approach, and even saints were directly severely injured.
"Unbelievable... I can truly ascend to immortality! This is immortal qi! My physique is transforming!" a Saint King from the ancient clan exclaimed in shock, having successfully seized the immortal gate.
Hearing this, many people's doubts vanished. They attacked wildly, trying to follow him in.
However, as the Saint King quickly blurred, the immortal gate vanished, leaving people with only regret.
"The fourth person! Four peerless experts have already entered. We still have a chance!" The crowd buzzed with noise.
On the tenth day, strands of immortal qi appeared again in the starry sky beyond the domain. This time, it was even more brutal, with blood staining the heavens.
"It really is the immortal domain! So magnificent and splendid! I saw... Oh heavens, a true immortal phoenix! It has the aura of eternal life! Before it, I feel like an ant!"
A Saint King was shaken, unable to help but cry out in shock.
People went mad. The path to immortality was the dream of countless generations. Even the ancient great emperors could not enter, yet now they might break through!
Opportunities were few. No one knew when the immortal gate would close, so people fought desperately.
"Farewell! I am entering the immortal domain." This was a Saint King from the Great Luo Clan, nostalgic. He took one last look back before beginning to step forward.
But a change occurred. Two shadowy figures appeared silently before the immortal gate, nearly transparent. They acted simultaneously, pressing forward.
"Pfft!"
The Saint King of the Great Luo Clan screamed. He could not dodge or resist, and was directly killed by them.
"Who are these people? How can they silently approach a Saint King? How powerful must their cultivation be?"
The crowd was stunned.
Clearly, the two shadowy figures had been following the Saint King of the Great Luo Clan, hidden and unrevealed, until they witnessed the wonders within the immortal gate before striking.
"Silently killing a Saint King... These two are too terrifying!"
"Killing intent... It's overwhelming killing intent, like an ocean! Oh heavens, how can there be such terrifying people? They are like demon lords from hell!"
Behind them, the crowd was shocked. The ancient saints charging forward all stopped, their hair standing on end, chilled from head to toe.
They had never seen such people. When hidden, they were like the void; once they erupted, their killing intent was as thick as a slaughterhouse, terrifying even saints.
The shadowy figures solidified, revealing two people who looked almost like ghosts—skin shriveled, bones like firewood, eyes deeply sunken, their eyeballs nearly dried up.
And these two had silently killed a Saint King!
"Human... They are human experts!"
The Killing Saint Qi Luo changed color and said, "The... Killing Ancestors! Hell and the Mortal World truly have such beings!"
"Buzz"
The divine gate trembled, and as the two dried-up, vengeful-spirit-like figures vanished, this portal also disappeared. (To be continued)