Volume 1, Chapter 201 – Unknown Creature

Another six months passed in the blink of an eye.

Gu Han gazed at the Xuanhuang Continent floating silently in the distance, her heart awash with emotion.

Over the past six months, every violent fluctuation at the void node’s entrance had set her nerves on edge.

Qingxuan would be all right, wouldn’t she?

Just what kind of world was the Xuanhuang Continent?

“You seem to have a great deal on your mind, young friend.”

Old Man Tianji’s voice came from beside her, gentle but probing.

Gu Han composed herself and shook her head slightly.

“I was merely reflecting on the vastness of heaven and earth, and how insignificant we are by comparison.”

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken, young friend.”

Old Man Tianji stroked his beard with a smile, wisdom gleaming in his eyes.

“Heaven and earth may be vast, but we cultivators are destined to defy the heavens. From insignificance, we seek transcendence. Within the finite, we strive to attain the infinite.”

He paused and turned his gaze toward the Xuanhuang Continent as well, his voice taking on a distant note.

“When I was young, I too felt the same awe you do, followed by the same uncertainty.”

“Only later did I realize that reverence for heaven and earth is a good thing, but there is no need to belittle oneself.”

“Precisely because we understand the immensity of heaven and earth, we should press forward all the more boldly and see what vistas await us at greater heights.”

His words held all the reassurance and encouragement of an elder.

Warmth stirred in Gu Han’s heart, and she nodded.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

“I would hardly call it guidance. I’ve simply lived a little longer and gained a few insights along the way.”

Old Man Tianji waved a hand, then abruptly changed the subject.

“As for you and those two girls, Qingxuan and Lingshuang…”

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He left the thought unfinished.

But the knowing look in his eyes and the faint hint of teasing made the tips of Gu Han’s ears grow warm.

These old monsters who had lived for tens of thousands of years truly had frighteningly sharp eyes.

“I’m afraid we’ve given you something to laugh about.”

Gu Han did not deny it, nor did she need to.

At their level, many things no longer needed to be concealed. It was better to face them openly.

“Haha, there’s nothing to laugh at.”

Old Man Tianji chuckled.

“Qingxuan is free-spirited and unrestrained, while Lingshuang may be cold on the outside but is warm at heart. Both are extraordinary women.”

“To have won their hearts is both a blessing and a trial, young friend.”

Gu Han fell silent for a moment before replying,

“I will keep that in mind.”

Old Man Tianji nodded slightly and said no more, turning his attention back to the void node’s entrance.

Just then…

“Buzz!”

At the entrance, the energy fluctuations that had persisted all this time suddenly underwent a strange change!

The ever-expanding vortex abruptly collapsed inward!

It resembled a gigantic maw greedily devouring all the starlight and energy around it!

Immediately afterward, an aura vaster and more primordial than anything they had sensed before erupted from the center of the collapse!

Mixed within that aura were fragments of Dao principles utterly different from those of the Canglan Continent.

“Could it be… the passage is about to stabilize completely?!”

Old Man Tianji’s voice rang with incredulous shock.

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At the same time, the Profound Heart Bracelet around Gu Han’s wrist suddenly began pulsing violently!

It was not a warning of danger, but an emotion… one of urgency and exhilaration!

On the other side of the passage, Qingxuan seemed to have encountered something, or perhaps… accomplished something!

“Everyone, fall back!”

Sovereign Longteng’s voice boomed from the depths of the collapsing void node like a thunderclap, carrying an authority that brooked no argument!

Without the slightest hesitation, everyone retreated several hundred li in an instant!

The moment they drew back…

“BOOM!!!”

The center of the void node, compressed to its absolute limit, exploded like a supernova, unleashing a blazing white pillar of light that pierced heaven and earth!

The pillar was a full hundred li in diameter, pure and condensed, containing an unimaginable abundance of energy and laws of space!

One end connected to the star sea, while the other plunged deep into the boundless void.

The pillar of light persisted for around ten breaths.

After ten breaths, its radiance gradually dimmed and contracted.

In the end, where the void node’s entrance had once been, there remained a stable, silently rotating “gate” roughly thirty meters in diameter.

Beyond the gate was no longer a twisted, fractured expanse of turbulent void currents.

Instead, a relatively placid passage flowed with multicolored rays of light!

Deep within it, another starry sky could be faintly seen.

From within came the aura of a Great Dao that shared the same origin as the Canglan Continent’s, yet was far vaster and more “complete”!

Everyone exchanged looks, each seeing the shock in the others’ eyes.

They had succeeded!

Qingxuan and the others had truly opened a relatively stable passage!

Even if the route was still filled with unknowns and dangers, it was worlds apart from relying entirely on luck and brute strength to force their way through!

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“Buzz…”

The passage’s entrance rippled faintly.

Five somewhat weary figures slowly flew out.

They were none other than Qingxuan, Longteng, Yaoguang, the Desolate God, and Venerable Baiyun!

Empress Qingxuan was still dressed in her close-fitting purple attire, though her hair was slightly disheveled and a trace of exhaustion showed on her exquisite face.

Yet her eyes shone with startling brilliance, filled with triumph and exhilaration after their success.

The Red Emperor Heaven-Scorching Lotus in her palm had dimmed considerably, clearly having expended enormous power.

Sovereign Longteng held the Dragon Soul Sword in his hand. Its blade hummed incessantly, apparently greatly depleted as well.

Sacred Lord Yaoguang’s aura remained steady, and a faint smile graced her gentle face, though her complexion seemed even paler than before.

The Desolate God and Venerable Baiyun had also expended a great deal of power, but both were in exceptionally high spirits.

“Everyone, we have fulfilled our mission!”

Empress Qingxuan swept her gaze over the five people standing guard outside. At last, her eyes settled on Gu Han, and her lips curved into a dazzling smile.

“The passage is complete. Although it cannot be considered absolutely stable, it is stable enough for us to travel through safely.”

She paused, then added,

“Moreover, if any of you wish to travel to the Xuanhuang Continent in the future, you can enter through here. There will be no need to expend the effort to open another passage.”

Her words struck like another thunderbolt!

That meant the passage could, in a sense, be considered sustainable!

“Fellow Daoist Qingxuan, you have accomplished a tremendous feat!”

Old Man Tianji praised her sincerely.

Buddha Lord Wufa and Demon Lord Wutian also nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Gu Han looked at Qingxuan’s radiant smile and the undisguised pride in her eyes as she looked back, clearly seeking praise.

Gu Han’s heart swelled with both pride and tenderness.

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“Congratulations.”

Gu Han spoke softly, her voice carrying a tenderness even she did not notice.

The smile in Empress Qingxuan’s eyes deepened. She wanted nothing more than to fly straight to Gu Han’s side and tell her how much she had missed her.

But now was not the time.

“Fellow Daoist Longteng,”

Qingxuan said, turning toward Sovereign Longteng,

“now that the passage is open, what do you intend to do next?”

Sovereign Longteng exchanged a glance with Sacred Lord Yaoguang. A resolute light flashed in both their eyes.

“We intend to leave for the Xuanhuang Continent immediately.”

Sovereign Longteng’s voice was steady, carrying a resolve that could not be swayed.

“Ya’er cannot afford any further delay. Now that the path ahead is open, the sooner we depart, the better.”

“Haha! I’m coming with you!”

The Desolate God immediately declared.

“I’ve wanted to see that central great world for a long time!”

After a brief moment of thought, Venerable Baiyun also said,

“I am willing to accompany you. Putting what I have learned to the test in another world may offer an opportunity for a breakthrough.”

Empress Qingxuan nodded slightly.

“In that case, we will rest here for a while, then set out together.”

Naturally, no one objected.