Chapter 1673: Nine Imperial Gates Later

The only true path has been traversed to its end, and the final barrier overcome. With this, this mysterious path to emperorship may now be fully revealed to the world, its boundless immortal light illuminating the universe.

In a trance, it seemed as if a vast immortal realm had been opened there, connecting to the human world and shocking everyone.

Innumerable cultivators speculated, all eager to find out: what exactly lay beyond the nine Imperial Gates? It was something unheard of in the past, unknown in the present, and perhaps unknowable in the future.

Many rushed towards the nine Imperial Gates, hoping to witness a miracle. Of course, only the most supreme experts of each race, those who had reached that level, were qualified to enter.

However, everyone faced the same problem: they needed to re-traverse the nine Imperial Gates, fighting their way through, with no shortcuts.

But by then, it might be too late for everything. Perhaps the ultimate secret would have already been obtained and the dust settled, making it pointless to rush there.

There were too many heroes in the world, and some couldn't help but regret not having rushed there sooner, missing the celebration of this grand era, where perhaps immortal traces could be seen.

Unless one possessed strength defying the heavens, like the Imperial Lord or the Undying Empress, they couldn't simply appear halfway into the vast chaotic immortal land.

The entire universe was abuzz with discussion. This was a monumental event, the most noteworthy since the dark turmoil, with all eyes turning towards that place.

"Is a powerful being about to become an emperor?" someone whispered tremblingly.

To become an emperor—these two soul-stirring words stirred the nerves of all supreme experts. Throughout eternity, such individuals were always unique to their era, beings whose progress even the heavens could not halt, the very embodiment of the strongest throughout ancient times.

In this generation, will anyone succeed?

Every ten thousand years, or even tens of thousands of years, this path would open. But in most cases, it might be in vain, not necessarily leading to emperorship.

Especially in the past hundred thousand years, only one person achieved enlightenment: the Azure Emperor. And he seemingly did not break through in that mysterious immortal land, but found another path.

What kind of great upheaval would this generation bring? Everyone wanted to know, everyone hoped, some even with dry mouths and boiling blood!

"Oh, so fast. What about Ye Tong and Yang Xi? Have they reached the end?" People within the Heavenly Court were also discussing.

Several years passed, and the Heavenly Court consolidated its gains. The territories it governed became increasingly stable, and no one dared to challenge it anymore; it had become a colossal entity.

Conversely, the Divine Court was gradually declining. Were it not for people's apprehension of the Imperial Lord, someone might have already gone to conquer them, seize their territories, and plunder their resource planets.

However, none of this was the focus now. All eyes in the universe were fixed on the end of the only Imperial Path, where the greatest changes were about to unfold.

Would one person achieve enlightenment, or would it all be in vain, leaving everyone without a chance? People were anticipating, trembling, and waiting.

Boom!

Behind the nine Imperial Gates, an astonishing explosion thundered, its divine energy startling myriad realms. People knew that someone was knocking on the gate, attacking that immortal land, seeking the secret to becoming an emperor.

Everyone was on edge, filled with dread and excitement. Numerous major powers rushed there without delay, coveting everything that awaited.

"Let's also set off and pay attention to Ye Tong and Yang Xi's performance," Li Heishui said.

"From a time perspective, it's too late," Yan Yixi said. "Traversing the nine Imperial Gates again would take a very long time."

"If we're just going to watch the battle, it shouldn't be a problem," Hei Huang said. "That place is special; we can witness the miracle from outside the Imperial Gates."

The Heavenly Court members set off. The Black Pearl, now even more awe-inspiring, radiated brilliance from its entire several-thousand-li long, cold hull, traversing the universe at high speed towards the place of upheaval.

When this quasi-emperor warship arrived, the area before the Imperial Gates was already a sea of people. Many were even willing to attempt the challenges then, just to rush to the end and bear witness.

"We can't see anything..." Hei Huang led the way, and they arrived at an ethereal, illusory place. They could only perceive boundless immortal light erupting, along with the illusory outlines of ancient mountains, endless lightning flashes coiling, and a shimmering golden ocean appearing and disappearing.

As for the truth beyond, it was impossible to see through, nor could they break past it. There were true Great Emperor restrictions here.

Boom!

From within, violent collisions echoed, as supreme power fluctuations impacted the immortal land.

This vague feeling, unable to discern the truth, was agonizing. People couldn't help but want to break through and find out, as it might be a battle related to becoming an emperor.

"Kill! Break through and complete my Imperial Path!" Someone roared.

Everyone was surprised that such a voice could penetrate out. That person was very strong. What kind of trouble was he facing? Were there still complications after the nine gates?

No one had expected that this wait would last three years, with continuous shouts of battle. No one had truly broken into the chaotic immortal land, which was shocking.

The people on the Black Pearl were initially very concerned, then they became dazed, then petrified, and finally accustomed to it.

Before the first Imperial Gate, vast armies continuously poured in. From time to time, individuals ventured deeper, aiming to break through to the final area, because too many rumors had spread over the past three years.

"That is an immortal cave, recording the Emperor Venerable's laws and Dao!"

"The Emperor Venerable's Immortal Sutra is not recorded at the first gate, but in the final chaotic cave!"

How could such news leave anyone calm? Someone had personally witnessed a chaotic cave emitting light there, revealing vast stretches of scriptures inscribed in the void.

Some had even obtained portions of the scriptures, finding them profound, immensely powerful, and wondrous.

Others said that it not only recorded the Emperor Venerable's Dao but also the enlightenment diagrams of other Great Emperors, Ancient Sovereigns, and even Heavenly Venerables, making it a place close to immortality.

This naturally caused a great stir!

Countless great clans and numerous powerful beings could no longer sit still. All set off for that place, hoping for great gains.

Rumble!

On this day, the First Imperial Gate opened wide. The crystal stele vanished, no longer obstructing the cultivators' path, and anyone could enter, causing a huge sensation.

"What's happening? Why is this? Who moved it?"

"Could it be that someone has broken into the chaotic immortal land, taken control of everything here, and opened all the restrictions?"

Many were surprised, but more believed this was a divine grace from heaven. Numerous major powers led their war divisions, actually charging into the Imperial Gate, hoping to get a share of the spoils.

By now, becoming an emperor was not the goal for most, but limited to only a few. Most cultivators were aiming for immortal treasures, collectively charging forward for the legacies of Great Emperors.

This fervor lasted four years, and the nine Imperial Gates became a chaotic battleground, with all major powers intervening.

Suddenly looking back, people were surprised to find that seven years had passed in total, and still no one had broken through the final chaotic realm. That place remained a tangle of blazing lightning, with palaces appearing and disappearing, impossible to approach.

In the eighth year, Ye Fan and his companions also arrived, uneasy about Ye Tong and Yang Xi. They were deeply worried for them, as this place had become a battleground for a hundred fights, and heaven knew what might happen.

"How could this be? In ancient times, only a few could enter, so why are there massive numbers of cultivators rushing here in this generation, no longer being blocked?"

Even Ye Fan, who had once withdrawn from the Imperial Path and theoretically couldn't re-enter, passed through the Imperial Gate safely, appearing on this path for the third time.

"Kill!"

Shouts of battle shook the heavens; this was a land of blood and chaos.

They kept a low profile, not wanting to attract attention, nor did they contend for supremacy. The Black Pearl transformed into an inconspicuous small boat, continuously sailing in the peripheral regions, avoiding the various powerful figures.

In the eighth year, they arrived at the Ninth Gate. From there, they exited the gate and entered the most mysterious ancient land.

Roar...

Golden lightning intertwined to form a celestial dragon, streaking across the sky, tens of thousands of li long. Its massive dragon body tore through the chaos, erupting with a wild aura that awed people's minds.

Another bird cry sounded, as a chaotic divine bird spread its wings, tearing the sky and striking across a hundred thousand li. Its powerful energy surged. These were merely phenomena within the chaotic immortal land, yet they made even Great Sages tremble with fear.

How could one break through? These chaotic energies and lightning could actually transform into so many terrifying desolate beasts and fierce birds, each with astonishing divine power, making it impossible to approach.

"Someone broke in eight years ago, but they must have failed. Otherwise, these phenomena would have dispersed long ago, and it wouldn't be so enveloped in mist and clouds."

"Indeed, quite a few people entered, but it's unknown whether they perished or simply vanished."

People were discussing. The place was packed with people; never before had a generation seen so many, with even those who hadn't participated in bloody battles reaching this point.

This was almost unbelievable. Who had changed all of this?

Unlike before, this meant that the path to emperorship in this generation might be fully exposed, and the final secret land would no longer hold any secrets. The entire world would know what was on that ancient chaotic mountain.

The vast mountain thrived, and though shrouded in lightning elements, it was also full of life. It slowly moved with the chaos, as if creating heaven and earth.

Vaguely, people saw many ancient trees on the mountain, surprisingly composed of lightning elements, overshadowing the sun and growing vigorously.

This made people feel somewhat incredulous. Lightning elements were very special, a manifestation of heavenly punishment from the heavens, a supreme power that everyone had to face during their tribulations.

Why were the lightning elements and chaos so dense here, a true source? Could it be a celestial palace of the heavens?

"Look, there's an undying divine tree!"

It was unclear who shouted first, causing a sensation. On the mountain, a golden Fusang tree appeared and disappeared; wasn't that the ancient tree of the Sun Holy Emperor?

"Vermilion Bird!"

Suddenly, someone else saw a fiery red bird with roots growing from its feet, uprooting itself from an ancient mountain and flying to another peak.

"It's the Vermilion Bird Undying Immortal Medicine!"

This stunned everyone. That medicine had also followed a Great Emperor, and it was here!

"No, these medicines have appeared elsewhere; they shouldn't all be concentrated here."

Experts from various races arrived, leading many war divisions, all eyeing the place intently, ready to charge in, hoping to seize the immortal medicines and vie for fragments of the Emperor Venerable's Immortal Sutra.

"Look, who's that coming?" A figure bathed in firelight walked forth, stepping onto the chaotic immortal land. With a thunderous sound, her single punch shattered the sky, and she directly broke through!

She was Huo Lin'er, daughter of the Qilin Ancient Sovereign, her entire body enveloped in radiance. Her unexpected appearance caused a huge sensation.

On the Black Pearl, Ye Fan frowned. The battle here had escalated, destined to become the most terrifying demonic land. Two bright lamps appeared on the ship, their flames flickering but burning eternally.

"Ye Tong and Yang Xi are both fine; their life fires are very strong," Hei Huang nodded.

Those were the life imprints the two had left before embarking on the ancient path; as long as they were alive, these two lamps would not extinguish.

The crowd roared, and war divisions from various races grew in number. Almost all supreme experts from every corner of the universe had arrived. Eight years had passed, and everyone was eagerly anticipating, hoping to witness an outcome.

Naturally, a terrible battle was inevitable. As long as the Great Emperor's scriptures appeared and undying immortal medicine unearthed, many would undoubtedly scramble for them at any cost.