Chapter 1240: Humanity's First Barrier

Chapter 1241: The First Human Gate

Moonlight poured down and starlight cascaded like a waterfall, with streaks of silvery-white star rivers hanging in the sky, making the ancient city appear mysterious and magnificent, almost a divine realm.

In every direction, savage beasts roared and strange birds circled. Some were as massive as mountains, while others had wings that blotted out the sky. Each dominated a region, all of them ancient, exotic species. Imposing horned dragons, divine deer with purple wings wreathed in lightning, and ancient birds devouring green jiaos—these all served as mounts, each ridden by a peerless expert from their respective region.

In front of the ancient city, the various mighty figures were silent. Only the cries of fierce birds and ferocious beasts broke the stillness, creating an incredibly oppressive atmosphere. The ancient city itself exuded a palpable sense of crushing weight.

Ye Fan frowned, sensing an ancient vastness and an imposing aura. The colossal city felt immensely grand and expansive, as if it had existed since time immemorial, narrating the ancient history of the entire human race.

"When this city was built, or in what era it originated, is long untraceable," someone whispered. "It is known as the First Gate on humanity's strongest trial path."

Ye Fan learned that the cosmos contained numerous "minor ancient paths," all converging on the ultimate main trial road. This place served as a crucial node, like a great dam, unifying the routes of human experts from all directions.

In front of this majestic giant city, there were over 290 people, each keeping to themselves. Every single one was a protagonist in their own right, a true hero among humans.

"There are truly a lot of people," the Dragon Horse exclaimed in astonishment, surveying its surroundings. "Are there really so many life-bearing planets in this starfield?"

Not a single one was weak, and some of their mounts had even reached the Saint realm, dominating their respective areas with imposing might.

Upon arriving, Ye Fan once again spotted the Thirteen Riders. It was clear they were incredibly strong, dominating their own section, and no one was willing to easily provoke them. The Thirteen Iron Riders also noticed them; several among them sneered, dismissing them entirely, and looked down on all the other heroes.

"They are the Thirteen Riders of Desolation, from an ancient starfield," someone explained. "Their strength is unfathomable. It's said they've fought their way here through bloody battles, sweeping all before them, even alerting the Summoning Emissaries."

Ye Fan listened carefully. He had traveled alone and just arrived, not having encountered a single competitor on his way, so he needed to understand the current situation.

"What is the identity of a Summoning Emissary?" many cultivators, who were also unfamiliar with this ancient trial path, asked those around them.

"The Summoning Emissaries are the guardians of this First Human Gate," someone explained. "They command the six directions, guiding heroes from all sides into the city and informing them of the path ahead."

In a sense, this was the true start of the strongest trial path; only those who reached this point were qualified to participate in the subsequent competition. Strong individuals who failed too early on the journey or died in space would never even see this giant city. This was a crucial stronghold, a place that embraced all rivers, gathering heroes from all directions. Only by entering through this gate could one continue forward.

"The Thirteen Riders... I'll deal with them," the Dragon Horse said coldly.

Some people nearby immediately moved away, unwilling to stay near the man and his mount. No one wanted to make enemies in all directions right at the start. Of course, not everyone feared the Thirteen Riders of Desolation. Many extraordinary individuals occupied their own spaces, their eyes deep, quietly waiting for the Summoning Emissaries, their core resolve unswayed by external matters.

Ye Fan had a question in his mind: How could there be so many people? Were they all from different starfields? How many ancient life-bearing planets must there be for this? It was truly astonishing!

A cold snort was heard as a Golden-winged Heavenly Roc descended from the sky. A middle-aged Daoist nun sat cross-legged on its back. Her appearance was ordinary, but her extraordinary temperament immediately marked her as a powerful expert.

Ye Fan frowned. He had seen this woman on the road before; she had spoken coldly to him, telling him he should turn back and not bother participating in the strongest trial.

Although the Golden-winged Roc had shrunk its body, it was still several zhang long, its entire form dazzling golden, powerful, and robust. The moment it landed, a violent gale erupted, a clear release of divine energy. Eight or nine people nearby involuntarily retreated, their exotic beasts whinnied, sensing a powerful pressure. They were forced back by a powerful field, their expressions changing visibly. The middle-aged Daoist nun hadn't even made a move, yet her mount alone inspired dread, suppressing the aura of some people who couldn't resist it.

Ye Fan was also in that area, watching with cold eyes and showing no reaction. The Dragon Horse's four hooves stood firm like iron pillars, completely still, as it watched the Heavenly Roc with indifference. If it dared to press closer, it would absolutely not hesitate to fight. It wasn't reckless; after all, this was in front of the First Human Gate, and many people were watching. Stepping forward now would definitely not be good, as it would draw everyone's attention. Of course, if the other party dared to actively provoke them, that would be another matter; the Dragon Horse would retaliate with the most violent means and counter-kill.

"Not even a Saint yet, and daring to put on airs in front of this lord!" the Dragon Horse snorted, its killing intent undisguised. It was no longer as impetuous as in the past; it was very steady.

The Daoist nun glanced indifferently in their direction. Clearly, she also didn't want to become the focus right at the First Human Gate, as that would be very disadvantageous for her later. She would certainly be seen as a threatening competitor and might be jointly eliminated. She soothed the Golden-winged Roc, telling it not to act rashly and to wait for the moment to enter the city.

Ye Fan remained calm, and the Dragon Horse also didn't press forward. Both sides remained peaceful, each occupying an advantageous position.

They waited a full day and night, during which no fighting occurred in this place. Everyone was very restrained, and in the process, more people arrived. Most came from the depths of the starfield, converging here. In the end, there were surprisingly over 400 people, an astonishing number.

Ye Fan found it hard to believe there were so many ancient life-bearing planets; this didn't align with what he knew. Here, he could only be a listener, paying attention to people's conversations to understand the situation. Soon enough, he indeed gained some insights.

"The First Human Gate opens once every six months to five years, and this time, the number of people is higher than usual," a burly, bearded man said.

Ye Fan was startled. So that's how it was. No wonder so many people had gathered here; it turned out that it might be another opening day soon, and many people had been stranded here for over half a year.

"Although it's an opening day, it doesn't necessarily mean passage is granted," someone else added. "I've heard that there must be at least one seed-level expert among them for everyone to be allowed to enter, which is why sometimes people have to wait up to five years."

"Don't worry, we can definitely get in this time," another person assured. "The Thirteen Riders of Desolation have fought their way through bloody battles, already alerting the Summoning Emissaries. Do you think they won't let us pass?"

"Hmm, that's true," another chimed in. "This time, quite a few tough contenders have arrived, including visitors from several ancient starfields. The Thirteen Riders of Desolation aren't the only exceptional ones; there are at least several batches of competitors, and these are just the known ones."

Finally, a total of 437 people gathered before the First Human Gate, facing the vast giant city.

"Enter the gate!"

Finally, a divine thought resonated, echoing like a grand bell, causing many people's bones to tremble and blood to surge, their faces showing expressions of awe and shock. The ancient city gate slowly creaked open, incredibly heavy. This was a colossal city standing in the starry sky, with an environment suitable for human survival inside.

The 437 cultivators, either urging their mounts forward or walking on foot, advanced toward the gate, none of them calm. The ancient city exuded an aura of primeval vastness. Built from grey-brown colossal stones, it was grand and awe-inspiring, with guards positioned atop its walls. There weren't many soldiers, but all wore cold, metallic-gleaming armor. Their long halberds seemed to cleave the sky, and their iron dagger-axes to sever space, like a squad of celestial soldiers, glaring menacingly at everyone. They exuded a killing aura, as if they had battled across countless starfields and slain endless experts. Now guarding this place, they deterred any offense, like a pack of fierce beasts lying dormant.

Some commotion occurred during the entry process. The strong remained strong and would not retreat for others, especially not on this path to becoming a Great Emperor, where one must contend to the very end. Eight or nine groups of top figures emerged, each incredibly powerful in their own areas, forcing others to retreat and make way for them. Clearly, the Thirteen Riders of Desolation were an absolute top-tier fighting force; people around them almost suffocated. Their thirteen savage beasts roared, stepping across the sky, sweeping away like a torrent. Several among them sneered, glancing toward Ye Fan's direction. If not for nearly a hundred cultivators separating them, a battle would likely have broken out between them.

"What arrogance! This lord will fight you!" the Dragon Horse declared.

Every few dozen people, there would be a powerful individual, preventing others from approaching and forcing them to clear a path. A powerful fighting intent permeated the air around them. Unsurprisingly, in Ye Fan's vicinity, someone also asserted dominance, aiming to contend for the main path and shake the Dao hearts of other competitors.

It had to be said that the middle-aged Daoist nun was very powerful. Her battle aura overflowed, so oppressive that people felt suffocated. Cultivators from all directions couldn't withstand it and continuously retreated. The Golden-winged Heavenly Roc she rode was even more unruly, looking down on all the heroes. Its golden roc wings flashed, sending golden divine light tearing through the air, incredibly powerful.

Everyone in this area retreated. Only Ye Fan and his mount remained, and the Dragon Horse quickened its pace, heading towards the city gate. The middle-aged Daoist nun's eyes turned cold. The Golden-winged Heavenly Roc she rode glowed with dazzling divine light, its entire body blinding. It transformed into a golden lightning bolt and pursued them, spreading its colossal wings that seemed to cover the sky, extending sharp claws that gleamed with a cold, keen light, snatching at Ye Fan's body, intending to tear him apart.

The Dragon Horse was enraged and about to retaliate. But in that instant, Ye Fan calmly took out a black long spear. His torso remained still as his right hand, holding a dark-gold spear, coldly thrust it out. It was too fast—faster than anyone's eyes, faster than anyone's reaction! A black lightning bolt pierced the sky, blood rained down, and roc feathers fell. The roc let out only a brief, sharp wail. Ye Fan, as indifferent as a god of war, pierced the Golden Heavenly Roc's head with a single spear, killing it instantly.

Blood flowed down the black spear shaft, a shocking sight. Ye Fan sat firmly on his horse, as steady as a rock, and the scene froze here.

"That was a Half-Saint level roc, and it was... killed in one blow. Who is this person?"

A great clamor erupted in the nearby area, and everyone's hearts pounded. This seemingly taciturn expert was absolutely not to be provoked. The middle-aged Daoist nun shot into the sky, avoiding the spear's glow. Her face showed furious anger, and surging battle qi tore through the sky. With a soft shout, she was about to pounce down to kill.

A loud shout came from the magnificent city tower. The soldiers raised their long halberds, iron dagger-axes, and other weapons, coldly staring down. "No one is allowed to fight fiercely here!" The words were very powerful, deterring everyone, because causing trouble might lead to losing the qualification to undertake the strongest trial.

With a sharp movement, Ye Fan shook his spear with a single arm, pointing it diagonally towards the southern sky. The roc's corpse tore into four pieces, and blood rained down, sending everyone recoiling in shock.

The man and his mount headed towards the city gate. After ten years of campaigning, Ye Fan's battle robes were tattered and stained with blood, and the Dragon Horse was likewise. Though they wore no bright, splendid armor, they both possessed an unstoppable killing aura that struck fear into people's hearts!

The man and his mount continued forward. Silence reigned in front of the magnificent giant city as everyone watched them walk towards the city gate. No one in that area dared to stop them.