Though Lu Yuan's current supposition was wildly fantastical, ever since the world's upheaval, had anything that transpired been otherwise?
Kunlun had held countless ancient legacies since antiquity; nothing discovered within would come as a surprise. Especially after beholding the scene revealed by the folded space inside, it was impossible not to let one's imagination wander.
Judging by the Heavenly Gate formed intermittently by the twin stone pillars and the majestic aura of the city within, it bore a striking resemblance to the ruins of the Heavenly Palace atop Mount Tai's Jade Emperor Peak.
Yet the other half inspired dread, calling to mind the Netherworld and the legendary City of the Wrongfully Dead. To put it in Western terms, it was half paradise, half hell.
Lu Yuan was not alone in this thought. Beside him, Jiang Ningxian wore a contemplative expression; clearly, even she was witnessing such a phenomenon for the first time. Her fascination with Kunlun only deepened, wondering if she might uncover even more intriguing mysteries.
"Could Mount Kunlun truly hold both an Immortal Realm and a Netherworld?" she murmured in slight shock, turning toward Lu Yuan.
"Who knows? We'll only know once we take a look," Lu Yuan replied with a faint smile. Standing outside, it was impossible to discern anything for certain; one had to step inside.
Jiang Ningxian nodded, gazing at the desolate, blood-colored expanse of sky before offering her advice. "That space has only just opened and remains unstable. We must wait a little while. Otherwise, the terrifying spatial turbulence could annihilate anything beneath the Great Saint Realm. Even if someone were lucky enough to survive, there's no telling where they'd be flung."
Lu Yuan said nothing, nodding in full agreement. The Dao of Space was profoundly enigmatic. Even once it calmed completely, unknown perils would surely lurk inside. Under such circumstances, thorough preparation was imperative.
In fact, everyone present could sense how perilous the secret realm was. The sight was harrowing enough to turn many faces pale, their expressions betraying hesitant doubt as they wondered whether they should truly enter. Yet they also knew full well that great danger brought great fortune and supreme destiny. Risking their lives might just allow them to defy fate and change their destinies; now that the opportunity to advance lay before them, they naturally would not let it slip away.
Whether Earth's Awakened or the extraterrestrial beings nearby, all stood rooted in place without acting rashly, keenly aware of the imminent peril still hovering in the air.
Everyone watched the space within the mountain, quietly awaiting the opportune moment. Fortunately, those present possessed formidable strength and ample patience; waiting another day meant nothing to them.
Time slipped by. A full day passed.
Buzz!
The space finally stabilized completely.
"It has stabilized," Lu Yuan observed, speaking calmly. He glanced toward the Peacock King and the others nearby, giving them a meaningful look to exercise caution.
The Peacock King and the other beast kings grew solemn, silently gathering their strength. Lu Yuan had already instructed them beforehand that upon entry, everyone would likely be randomly teleported to different locations.
"Let us prepare to enter, then."
Without standing on ceremony, Lu Yuan drew a deep breath. Free of hesitation, he stepped forward, arriving directly before the portal.
Jiang Ningxian followed close behind, enveloped in rings of enigmatic light and intricate runes. This was a secret divine art handed down through the Jiang clan, immensely powerful and capable of shielding both flesh and soul.
Exchanging a glance, the two ventured in without a second thought.
As Lu Yuan's silhouette vanished, the Peacock King, the Nine-Tailed Fox King, the Golden-Winged Garuda, and the Spirit Monkey erupted with powerful auras of their own and strode into the space.
Seeing this, the tens of thousands assembled sprang into action.
Both Earth's Awakened and the extraterrestrial beings breathed a collective sigh of relief once Lu Yuan was gone. Then, competing to be first, they clamored to plunge into the Kunlun secret realm.
"King Lu and his party have entered, which clearly proves it's safe now! Everyone, I'll take my leave ahead of you!"
"Ahead of us? Don't even dream of it! King Lu has the prestige to go first, as is only right. But you? We'll see if your ability can outmatch ours!"
Meanwhile, Zhou Yunqiong issued her command: "Let us set out as well; we must not delay." With that, she led her subordinates straight into the Kunlun secret realm.
Aside from those already assembled, more people were rushing toward the location. Though unaffiliated with the government or the Heavenly Court, they were formidable cultivators—at least in the Shackle Realm—and held tremendous confidence in themselves. Yet hindered by their speed, they had missed the first wave of entry.
***
Inside the Kunlun Mountain secret realm.
Under the blood-red firmament.
Lu Yuan took in his surroundings and discovered that upon entering, he had been delivered directly into a central area. Behind him stretched an immense tract of land spanning untold miles; Jiang Ningxian, the Peacock King, and the others were likely somewhere within it.
"Seems my drop location isn't bad."
Yet the aura pervading this place was far more chaotic.
The boundless, blood-red sky exuded an overwhelming aura that pierced straight up toward the firmament outside. Even the clouds, normally bathed in radiant twilight, had been dyed the color of blood, appearing utterly horrifying.
In truth, this realm bore a striking resemblance to Guangchengzi's Dao arena at Mount Kongtong.
Beneath his feet lay withered bones. When stepped upon, they snapped with sharp crunches before crumbling into fine powder. Too much time had passed, leaving the remains unable to bear the slightest pressure.
Lu Yuan walked forward, attempting to step around them, but found them so pervasive that he had no choice but to give up.
From this, one could infer that a catastrophic battle had raged here, claiming countless lives—even extraterrestrial beings had perished in droves.
Yet why it had occurred and what had triggered it remained unknown.
Standing upon the bone-strewn ground, Lu Yuan looked into the distance.
Closest to him stood a colossal black city.
Draped across it were countless arcs of pitch-black lightning, crackling incessantly. Even with his current strength, he dared not touch them lightly.
Further away lay another half of a city, wrapped in auspicious radiant light, creating a stark contrast with the gloom opposite it.
After brief deliberation, Lu Yuan decided to investigate the half-city resembling the Netherworld first.
He approached the black city walls, where the chaotic aura grew even denser.
There, the climbing silhouettes became clearer.
Along the towering wall, figures crawled upward one after another. Though their faces could not be made out, it was evident that they had encountered some supreme terror in life, and every single one was clad in armor.
Yet no matter how hard they struggled, they could never scale the black ramparts, constantly repelled and cast down by a mysterious force. Then the cycle repeated, over and over, who knew how many times.
Watching this, Lu Yuan felt puzzled. There was clearly a city gate, which seemed to be waiting as well, standing open all the while—so why scale the wall? Moreover, he felt an intuition in his heart.
He raised his head toward the gate. Inscribed above it were three characters that he recognized instantly:
City of the Wrongfully Dead!
Now alone, Lu Yuan had little need to worry even if danger arose. He had always possessed an adventurous spirit, and today was no exception.
Without overthinking, he soared straight into the air and flew toward his goal.
Chapter 176