Chapter 543: The Gate

“Return to the Upper Realm; no further escort is needed.”

Serene yet resolute was the Willow Deity, whose words exuded such commanding authority that numerous Upper Realm Sovereigns blanched, their expressions shifting between light and shadow.

“The Primordial Gate!”

The appearance of the gate made even the most seasoned experts twitch in alarm. Ancient legends long since thought lost surged back into their consciousness, leading some to hesitate momentarily.

“This gate holds profound significance. After this battle, we can collectively explore its mysteries. Our immediate priority is to slay this entity,” one figure declared, pointing directly at the Willow Deity.

The Fourth Killing Formation had already been deployed, trapping its designated target. Over countless ages, it had developed a fearsome reputation as a formation devised specifically to eliminate beings of such caliber that even Sovereigns tread warily around it.

This time, it was not merely one Sovereign controlling the formation, but several acting in concert. Whoever was ensnared within its grasp would likely find themselves doomed to an eternal demise.

Jets of chaotic energy spewed forth from the Primordial Gate, accompanied by rays of celestial light, rendering it increasingly indistinct, while simultaneously emitting a mysterious vibration to counter the Fourth Formation’s oppressive pressure.

The scene fell into momentary silence. Sovereigns opened and closed their piercing eyes, depths unfathomable as abysses, all locked onto the Willow Deity.

“If you refuse to retreat, I shall invite you all to enter this gate together,” the Willow Deity proclaimed.

With a sweep of its robe, it summoned the life essence of long-deceased warriors, which surged forth like a mighty torrent, converging into the enigmatic gate.

The gate grew even vaguer; an indistinct chanting emerged from its depths, ancient and mystical, distant yet unfathomable, sending several Sovereigns into a fleeting state of spiritual revelation, on the cusp of enlightenment.

“You dare speak of invitation? You’ve dwelled in the Lower Realm for ages, undoubtedly acquiring the Transcendent Scripture or some other great fortune. Today, you must relinquish it, or you will not escape unscathed!” cried one Sovereign.

At this moment, the Fourth Formation was fully activated, chaotic energies surging. In an instant, the battlefield became one of the deadliest war zones in history.

Xiao Ta—The Little Pagoda—was grim. The mere sight of so many Sovereigns uniting in formation was terrifying enough, to say nothing of this Fourth Killing Formation. If unleashed in full force, its consequences would be unimaginable.

Radiating brilliant light, it hovered just beside the Willow Deity, ready to engage at a moment’s notice.

Suddenly, the Void— Void Crack open, Leaf after leaf emerged.， Here it dances in the air， Emerald Yingying， All exude a treasured radiance.， Transform into a battle standard， The wind howled fiercely.。

“Hn, another killing formation?!” Some faces shifted; this formation, secretly prepared in advance, had gone unnoticed.

“Chi!”

A green leaf drifted downward, releasing a flash of Holy Radiance that engulfed the speaker in front of it. Sacred glyphs bound him like chains; he struggled but could not break free.

“Kill!”

A Sovereign roared, launching an attack. If the Willow Deity had the audacity to strike back while surrounded by their formation, they would surely intensify their assault and eliminate this terrible being decisively.

Truly, each Sovereign believed the Willow Deity had uncovered some incredible treasure during its time in the Lower Realm, something they desperately craved.

The formations radiated energy, glyphs uncountable, as if this Voidwas a sacred bone inscribed with supreme laws, now awakened in full, discharging unparalleled power.

Chaos surged, verdant leaves danced, and brilliant radiance erupted forth.

With formations clashing and mighty beings battling, the entire area erupted.

Standing beside the Primordial Gate, the Willow Deity and Xiao Ta stood unharmed as torrents of killing lights poured toward them—all vanished into the gate without leaving a mark.

The Fourth Killing Formation was legendary, unmatched in its terror. Had it not been for the Primordial Gate, the previous onslaught would have been impossible to neutralize. It could have slaughtered everything before it.

“Aah…”

A cry rang out, as the figure ensnared by the Willow Deity’s formation struggled in vain against its bonds.

“Chi!”

With a point of its finger, the Willow Deity released a cascade of radiant rain around the trapped figure, with dense cosmic symbols wrapping him tightly.

Then, these glyphs grew even more luminous, transforming into chains of emerald-gold, binding him securely before hurling him into the hazy portal, where he vanished in an instant.

“Esteemed Fellow Cultivator, you may now proceed.”

Thus spoke the Willow Deity—devoid of emotional overtones, yet sending chills racing through the spines of all present. A figure of great might had just vanished from this world.

For a moment, all ceased their attacks. Even the masters controlling the Fourth Formation remained still, watching the portal with bated breath, awaiting its result.

Silently, a trickle of blood flowed from the portal, generating shimmering halos, augmenting its divinity, as if it could purify the very souls of the gathered Sovereigns.

Yet many felt a cold dread welling within—the blood’s familiar aura unmistakably belonged to the very figure who had been cast into the gate moments ago.

He seemed to be both resisting and surrendering, transcending into liberation.

That blood exuded a strange vibration, before fading entirely, its essence dispersing completely, vanishing back into the gate.

A distant chanting resounded, timeless and transcendent, causing the onlookers to drift once more into a state of meditative clarity, with long-dormant cultivation breakthroughs seemingly on the verge of realization.

The effusion of a Sovereign’s blood had rendered the portal even more sacred—an alarming transformation that left all gazes flickering like the shifting cosmos, the scene descending into hushed, breathless stillness.

“I have already activated the Fourth Killing Formation, can you still escape?” A silhouette seated atop a grand bell suddenly spoke, emanating chaotic vapors, his form appearing unreal, as if his voice traveled from the primordial age.

“I never intended to escape; I now extend my invitation once more—anyone willing to enter this gate with me?” the Willow Deity responded.

With its meaning thus clarified—should they decline to retreat, they would all enter the gate together—it spoke with such plainness that it filled the Sovereigns with unease, for its strategies remained impenetrable.

“Since we clash with formations, let us relocate, to avoid harming innocents,” the Willow Deity continued.

In the Void, willow leaves danced brilliantly, like countless stars, which then ignited, carrying all with them into a roar of thunderous sound as they tore into a great rift, vanishing into chaos itself.

The crowd hesitated. The Willow Deity, entrapped in the Fourth Formation, had carried its own prison along as it charged into chaos. Would they follow?

“Go!”

In an instant, the world fell silent again, and all figures vanished, pursuing into the rift. No matter what, they refused to miss the spectacle, determined to witness what lay beyond.

Even if they refrained from entering the gate, they could still watch from afar. The Primordial Gate radiated immense enigmas and terror, brimming with untold transformations and treasures.

Cracks across the celestial expanse disappeared one by one, the anomalies caused by the descent of Upper Realm Sovereigns dissipating entirely.

Especially the crimson lightning and thunder—everything returned to void, as the Wilderness Domain quieted, the skies once again clear, revealing a fiery, resplendent sun blazing in the heavens.

Across the land, countless living beings felt the lifting of oppression from their hearts, with both cultivators and mortals alike drawing deep, relieved breaths. Many might not have seen the truth, but instinctively sensed the change.

Clear skies and drifting clouds, yet Shi Hao’s heart fell empty, a deep feeling of loss overtaking him, tinged with sorrow.

Gone it was—the Willow Deity and Xiao Ta would not return, a parting that might stretch into eternity.

In the battle just now, others may have failed to see clearly, but he was an exception. With his Cosmic Eye, he had witnessed every last detail, soul trembling within.

But why now did he feel such melancholy? Was the other side of the gate an opportunity or a peril? He feared the Willow Deity, like a moth drawn to flame, might burn itself away, vanishing forever from this world.

Silence reigned, as Shi Hao stood alone atop a high platform within the palace, motionless even as stars shimmered above and moonlight cast a cold glow.

Then came the rising sun, and golden dawn light bathed him, soft and radiant, as if carrying celestial sanctity, as he sighed and descended from the platform into a world bathed in golden hues.

One day passed, then another… Yet no movement, no news, reached him. The outcome of that battle remained veiled in mystery.

“The Undying Beings have not emerged; can this war not yet be concluded?” Shi Hao muttered softly. This final confrontation carried enormous implications, reverberating across realms.

Even the Patriarchs descending from the Upper Realm could not remain for long periods. Perplexity clouded Shi Hao’s mind—how could he not know of the outcome after so long?

Even the great immortal sects remained quiet, clearly unaware of the battle’s resolution, leaving those days unusually peaceful.

Day after day, both the Wilderness Domain and other areas like the Xuan Domain remained undisturbed, ushering in an unexpected era of tranquility, free from external disturbances.

“Your Majesty, the Lunar Grace Goddess has appeared,” Peng Jiu reported, for he had been entrusted with uncovering the truth. Assigned to investigation and surveillance, he monitored the movements of the Divine Sect’s Fairy, a formidable foe.

His timely news snapped Shi Hao out of his ruminations over the final battle.

“Where is she?”

“She is within the territory of the Shi Kingdom, atop a Daoist Mountain,” Peng Jiu replied.

“So brazen! Does she seek to challenge me again?” Shi Hao said, while thoughts raced within. With the Willow Deity gone, and Xiao Ta departed, had the world learned of it?

If so, trouble was sure to come. Those with ill intentions would not hesitate to act.

“It’s not only her. Others accompany her, including the Demoness,” Peng Jiu added.

Shi Hao was surprised, though comprehension was quick to follow.

Peng Jiu elaborated, confirming his suspicions.

Not just the Lunar Grace Goddess’s main body, but Xu Ming, Bi Gu, Lan Yu, Shui Yue, and other Upper Realm youths had entered Shi Kingdom’s domain. More precisely, they’d journeyed through the Eight Realms, with this mountain marking their latest stop.

A white crow flew into Shi City, bearing a letter, landing outside the palace.

“A fragment of Celestial Beast Bone?” Shi Hao was astonished. Truly a bold gesture—an irreplaceable material of immense value.

The crow, carved from such a bone, was capable of traversing Void, delivering messages swiftly and efficiently, albeit with extravagant cost.

“It seems this gathering cannot be avoided,” Shi Hao remarked after reading the letter.

Peng Jiu urged restraint, explaining that though the surface remained calm, unseen treachery might brew. Whether the ultimate catastrophe had truly subsided remained unknown.

“Since it’s a great calamity, does it matter where I am? I trust the Willow Deity, and I Reluctantlybelieve what Xiao Ta said about the God-Sealing Battle,” Shi Hao mused.

“If one wishes to go, there is no place one cannot reach,” were the Willow Deity’s words, spoken from the heights it occupied, fearless of any danger.

Though Shi Hao could not quite attain such boldness, the guests had arrived at the Shi Kingdom, not far from the capital. To decline their invitation would be to show cowardice.

Who would I fear?” Shi Hao said evenly.

Before departing, he ensured he would carry certain protections, not for malice, but for self-defense, so as not to fall needlessly into a disadvantageous trap.

Shi Hao left the palace, making his way to a Daoist Mountain where perhaps from Xu Ming, Shui Yue, the Demoness, and others, he could uncover details about the final catastrophe.

Yet this gathering included the Lunar Grace Goddess’s main body—whether it would bring smiles or swords drawn, inevitable events awaited.

A slight smile touched Shi Hao’s lips.