# Chapter 1766: Before the Heavenly Gate
Before the Heavenly Gate, Ye Fan, Ten Thousand Dragon Emperor, White Tiger Daoist, and the others were engaged in a bloody, white-hot battle. Everyone was severely wounded, covered in blood, and even their Immortal Platforms had cracked.
Ye Fan was naturally the focus of attention. Everyone wanted to eliminate him early, but thanks to the defense of the Immortal Ascension Cauldron, he had not yet fallen.
In fact, there was another important reason: Ye Fan possessed blood pills refined from the bodies of Ancient Supremes, comparable to divine medicine. Had he not taken them at the right times, he would likely have died long ago.
In this fierce battle, he had been on the verge of death several times, but after swallowing the blood pills, he instantly recovered, full of vigor and vitality, giving him a tremendous advantage.
Otherwise, he should have been a dead man already. No matter how powerful, no one could withstand the successive attacks of several Supremes.
His repeated survival had changed the course of the battle, because he had dragged another person to the brink of death. The supreme Imperial-level expert from the Immortal Mound was covered in blood, his life flame on the verge of extinguishing.
This was because the Supremes were also scheming against each other, constantly killing in secret—they were not truly allied. Thus, even "allies" were within the scope of being killed.
Additionally, the White Tiger Daoist had also suffered severe injuries.
And since the Heavenly Gate required the sacrifice of true Dao-Attainers, these two had naturally replaced Ye Fan as the targets.
The sounds of flesh turning to mud and blood splattering rang out. The Supreme from the Immortal Mound was killed by the combined forces of the group, bloodily—and Ye Fan had contributed to this as well.
Reality was this cruel. Allies attacked him, enemies attacked him. Once someone weakened here, it meant they would be killed, becoming everyone's target.
Survival of the fittest, the weak being prey to the strong—this was manifested at this moment. Truly an indescribable irony.
"Boom!"
Large pieces of flesh, bones, and rain of blood flew up together, striking the Immortal Gate, causing it to shine brilliantly and a crack to faintly open.
Seeing this, everyone seized the opportunity to strike swiftly, jointly attacking the Heavenly Gate, hoping to open it and fly inside.
At this moment, the Immortal Ascension Cauldron was also ramming on its own, without anyone activating it. It wanted to destroy this gate, to prove the existence of an immortal world, to see what lay in that realm.
Unfortunately, the crack was very bright, continuously overflowing with dense immortal light, but it simply would not open.
Someone tried to transform into a beam of light and enter, but suffered severe injuries. Changing their body form was useless; they could not pass through that gate—there were invisible laws sealing it.
"Not enough. Another Dao-Attainer must be sacrificed!" said Ten Thousand Dragon Emperor.
Everyone's gaze immediately fixed on Ye Fan and the White Tiger Daoist. They were the best targets. If these two died, the remaining three slots would be just enough for them to become immortals.
The White Tiger Daoist laughed bitterly. He knew he was even more dangerous than Ye Fan, because he was old and frail. Having fought until now, he was about to withdraw from his strongest domain, unable to sustain himself much longer.
"Fellow Daoists, all our lifelong efforts—what if in the end it all amounts to nothing? Today, are our actions even inferior to mortals? Truly ironic!" the Beast God said bitterly.
"Because we have no other chance. In this life, we can only make this final struggle!"
"Some people can endure greatly. It seems they have decided not to emerge this era, still choosing silence!" Ten Thousand Dragon Emperor spoke with a desolate sigh, looking toward the direction of the Big Dipper.
This made Ye Fan's heart tremble violently. There were still Ancient Emperors who had not emerged, who had not manifested. The Forbidden Zones were not extinct! This was hair-raising. What were those people waiting for? Did they still not recognize this era?
"Rumble!"
The heavenly tribulation was deafening. An explosion came from behind. A golden light tore through eternity, making every Supreme's heart pound violently.
"What audacity, daring to come here!"
"Just barely becoming an Emperor, not even perfected yet, and you dare to intrude upon the Immortal Path, ruining our great affairs!"
"You... seek death!"
The reactions of the several Supremes varied, their words harsh, but then their expressions all changed abruptly.
The Golden Crow Great Emperor had not entered during the tail end of his tribulation; he had forcefully charged in amidst the blazing heavenly punishment. This was extremely terrifying—he might be able to injure them!
The great tribulation rumbled, vast and boundless, shaking their hearts, causing their physical bodies to resonate involuntarily, about to fall into the heavenly punishment.
This was a terrible catastrophe. Although they were furious in their hearts, at this moment they had no choice but to avoid the edge. Their hearts gave warning signs; otherwise, they might truly capsize in a ditch.
Boundless divine tribulation spread out, drowning this place, without borders, shaking even the Immortal Path behind them to pieces. It was too terrifying.
Except for Ye Fan, everyone present had once endured this most terrifying Emperor-forming tribulation. If they fell into it and did not resist, fine—but if they did resist, they might once again experience the taste of crossing tribulation in their youth.
But they were already old. Even if they sublimated and remained in their strongest domain, they could not withstand such a great tribulation all over again.
Because it would last a very long time, exhausting their last strength. Though they were furious and shouted reprimands, in their hearts they had to sigh—this Golden Crow had calculated well, choosing this moment to enter. It was truly hard to handle.
No one had expected that a single Golden Crow would change everything here.
The Golden Crow Great Emperor was ambitious. Unwilling to have the Immortal Path sealed off and become an outsider, he had charged in before his own cultivation was fully complete. He did not pause for a moment, spreading his wings to strike the Heavenly Gate, displaying power that shocked everyone present.
Blood energy surged to the heavens. Though the Golden Crow Great Emperor was also severely wounded in the thunder tribulation, covered in blood, his fighting spirit was unparalleled. He exhausted all his abilities, ramming against that gate.
And most terrifyingly, endless heavenly tribulation descended, all crashing onto the Immortal Gate, explosively violent, shaking everyone's minds greatly.
At this moment, everyone was stained with blood, passively enduring the lightning strikes. They wanted to resist, but feared crossing tribulation. Not resisting was too uncomfortable.
Ye Fan carried the Green Cauldron and decisively retreated, leaving this place.
But this heavenly tribulation was too vast. In the process, he was continuously struck. This made him smile bitterly. In the past, he had used this method to strike down powerful enemies and suppress opponents. He never imagined that one day someone would use it against him, and he would taste this flavor.
Even though he had always been fearless of thunder seas in the past, using heavenly thunder to temper his physique, at this moment he had to temporarily avoid it. Because this was an Emperor tribulation, the most terrifying lightning in the world. If he drew the fire upon himself, it would be extremely unfavorable.
He still wanted to contend for the Immortal Path; he had no time to deal with these things.
The other Supremes also retreated, coming to the edge of this false Immortal Domain. Fortunately, this place was vast enough, comparable to a massive star system. They watched coldly from the sidelines.
In the process of retreating, everyone was struck by lightning, disheveled and covered with wounds, even their skin split open, blood flowing everywhere. Because they did not fully resist, afraid of attracting the heavenly tribulation.
The Golden Crow Great Emperor cried out loudly, resonating with this world. Like an Immortal King, his entire body radiated billions of golden light. He repeatedly struck the Heavenly Gate, using the great tribulation to bombard it.
Amidst the rumbling sounds, the crack in the Immortal Gate widened somewhat, but ultimately could not be shaken open.
"Clang..."
The great bell tolled slowly. The Golden Crow Divine Bell, forged from Dao Tribulation Gold, blazed up. Dao waves surged, passing through the crack, trying to strike into the Immortal Domain.
"Overestimating yourself! Not even truly perfected, and you delusionally seek immortality. I think you won't even know how you die!" Several Supremes sneered coldly.
The Golden Crow Clan Great Emperor had arrived just in time. They prepared to sacrifice him alive.
Without prior agreement, including Ye Fan, everyone prepared to strike, using forbidden methods to kill the old Golden Crow before the Heavenly Gate, performing a blood sacrifice.
However, those who became Emperors were all spiritually attuned. Especially now that he had received heaven's recognition, the Golden Crow Great Emperor's entire body was baptized by the Dao. In an instant, he understood—he could not become an immortal now. Moreover, if he delayed any longer, great disaster would befall him. He carried the boundless great tribulation and turned back.
"Kill!"
The several Supremes struck, but their expressions also changed. The immeasurable heavenly tribulation arrived, drowning them again.
"Boom!"
In the brilliant light, a fierce battle erupted here. The several Supremes were somewhat frustrated, unable to strike with full force, afraid of the divine tribulation descending upon them.
But even so, this place boiled over, beaten until heaven and earth shattered.
"Pfft"
The Golden Crow Great Emperor exploded, covered in blood. The sky was filled with golden feathers flying everywhere. But he quickly reorganized his body, letting out a mournful cry, and rushed outward.
"Clang..."
The golden great bell shook, then exploded with a boom. His Dao-Attaining artifact, just born, was directly shattered, turning into golden fragments scattered across the sky.
Golden Crow Emperor blood splashed onto the Heavenly Gate, causing it to rumble. The crack widened again, as if about to open.
The Demon Clan Great Emperor roared in fury. Wind and thunder raged, chaotic lightning flashed explosively. He did not hesitate to summon destructive calamity, drawing the great tribulation down to strike at everyone.
Admittedly, this was indeed intimidating.
But the several Supremes were no ordinary beings. They had all walked this path before. They used forbidden secret techniques and launched attacks again.
Although the Golden Crow Clan Great Emperor had gone far, his body exploded three times in succession. Each time he reorganized, it burst apart again, staining this place with blood. But he ultimately escaped with the fragments of the great bell.
"Barely surviving, but it seems he won't be able to perfect himself."
"His condition is very unfavorable, but entirely self-inflicted. Not yet a perfected Emperor, and he dared to contend with us—too ambitious!"
The ones behind sneered coldly.
Suddenly, Ten Thousand Dragon Emperor's expression changed. He noticed that the White Tiger Daoist had blood at the corner of his mouth, wearing a satisfied expression.
Not all of the Golden Crow Daoist's blood had been sacrificed to the Heavenly Gate. Part of it had been consumed by the White Tiger Daoist. He had been closest, obtaining this opportunity.
Originally one of the targets for hunting, already weak and exhausted, now after replenishing his essence blood, he had recovered most of his strength.
"Gentlemen, you have seen it too. That Golden Crow is not yet perfected, but his blood still has an effect. It widened the gap in the Heavenly Gate considerably. How about we calm down and first send the Sacred Body on his way?" the Beast God suggested this.
"I have no objections!" the White Tiger Daoist nodded. After drinking the blood, he had regained confidence, already calm and fearless.
"Then it's settled. We'll deal with him first. No attacking each other before that. This time, we must keep our agreement," said Ten Thousand Dragon Emperor. The Purple Gold Imperial Artifact on his head flashed with terrifying light.
"Human Sacred Body, we ask you to help us open this gate. Otherwise, you know the consequences!" The Phoenix-Winged Gilded Halberd, shimmering with red light, vibrated, transmitting a merciless roar.
The four Supremes cut off the Immortal Path, blocking Ye Fan there. Each revealed killing intent, ordering him to attack the Heavenly Gate, or else they would kill him together.
Ye Fan's gaze flickered. With a wave of his hand, the Green Copper Cauldron descended, appearing in his palm—crystalline, emerald green, radiating ten thousand strands of auspicious light.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, before Ye Fan could make any move, behind him, that Heavenly Gate slowly opened, revealing a bizarre, vast, and unfathomable Immortal Great World!