Chapter 396: Pushing Open the Door

Chapter 396: Pushing Open the Door (End of Chapter)

In front of the gigantic scroll, the half-meter-tall old man was somewhat dazed.

He could effortlessly manipulate everything within the two-dimensional world of the scroll, as if the entire realm was an extension of his body, revealing every detail to him.

As for the countless powerful beings from the Myriad Races who had fallen into this two-dimensional world, they held no secrets from the old man's eyes; he could see right through them.

It was precisely because of this that the half-meter-tall old man was all the more astonished, his gaze piercing through the entirety of the two-dimensional world as he continuously observed Lin Yuan standing before the Celestial Gate.

"I had merely wanted to observe for another ten thousand years, to see what this little guy would do after breaking through the thirty-layer world limit," the old man thought to himself.

In just over three hundred years since Lin Yuan's arrival, he had shattered the thirty-layer world limit, leaving the old man unsure of what to make of it.

According to his expectations, as long as Lin Yuan could continue to break through the thirty-layer limit within the next ten thousand years, it would be sufficient.

The higher one went in the world limit, the more challenging it became to break through. The first thirty layers were vastly different from the latter thirty layers.

That was why the old man had specifically left a span of ten thousand years.

"I thought I had estimated high enough. In ten thousand and three hundred years, he broke through sixty layers of the world limit. I never expected this young man to far exceed my estimations, shattering ninety-nine layers in just ten thousand years?"

The half-meter-tall old man calmed himself. This meant that in the ten thousand and three hundred years since Lin Yuan's arrival, he had broken through a total of one hundred and twenty-nine layers of the world limit.

"Even a twelfth-order being, transcending the constraints of the river of time and falling into this low-dimensional space, shouldn't be able to break so many layers of the world limit in just over ten thousand years, should they?"

The old man still found it hard to believe. Even if twelfth-order beings fell into a low-dimensional space, they could still employ some extraordinary means to accelerate their cultivation.

But even so, to reach Lin Yuan's current level, they would likely need hundreds of thousands or even millions of years.

"Is he really just a being within the river of time?" The old man repeatedly confirmed. Beings below the twelfth-order were referred to as beings within the river of time, implying that they were subject to its constraints.

Even in the chaos of the void, beings within the river of time and those outside of it were fundamentally different. The latter surpassed the former in every aspect.

This was determined by the very nature of their existence. Beings within the river of time had their perceptions limited by it, leading to an extremely confined and narrow understanding of the world.

On the other hand, twelfth-order beings outside the river of time had an infinitely vast and boundless perception of the universe.

"This is truly terrifying," the old man exclaimed, astonished that Lin Yuan was still entangled within the river of time despite his incredible cultivation speed.

At this moment, Lin Yuan's displayed cultivation speed was the fastest ever achieved by a being within the river of time since the creation of this two-dimensional world.

He had even created a cliff-like gap between himself and the second-fastest cultivator.

Among the numerous powerful beings outside the river of time, Lin Yuan's cultivation speed was also unbelievably fast.

"There's no need to continue observing."

"Let's just let him in."

The half-meter-tall old man glanced at the Celestial Gate that was swiftly taking form.

If he continued to observe, the old man worried that Lin Yuan would break through even more layers of the world limit and eventually break free from the constraints of the two-dimensional world.

Although this possibility was almost equal to zero and absolutely impossible, the old man hadn't expected Lin Yuan to break through so many layers of the world limit in just ten thousand years.

At the peak of Tian Shan.

Lin Yuan stood before the Celestial Gate, his heart fluttering as he watched it swiftly materialize.

Everything he had done during his ten thousand years in the two-dimensional world had been for this moment—to push open the Celestial Gate before him.

Only by opening the gate would he have a chance to leave this two-dimensional world.

Only by leaving could he avoid incurring a fundamental loss and preserve his Solar Nascent Soul.

Only by departing could Lin Yuan make use of the myriad treasures he had obtained.

As the Celestial Gate gradually materialized, the hearts of the powerful beings from the Myriad Races were stirred as well.

Although these beings were competitors with Lin Yuan, especially the Four Divine Kings and other eleventh-order perfect beings who had lived in Lin Yuan's shadow for ten thousand years, they all—

—sincerely hoped that Lin Yuan would push open the Celestial Gate.

Only if Lin Yuan succeeded would it mean that the gate could be opened, giving them a chance as well.

Moreover, only after Lin Yuan left through the gate would the Four Divine Kings and the other eleventh-order perfect beings have a true opportunity to rise.

As long as Lin Yuan remained, none of the powerful beings in this two-dimensional world could compete with him.

Initially, the Four Divine Kings had been quite confident and wanted to challenge Lin Yuan.

However, a mere glance from Lin Yuan was enough to bring them back to reality.

"Lord Xuyu," one of them said.

On the side of the Human Civilization, Xuanyuan Do and the other eleventh-order evolvers from the human race looked at Lin Yuan standing before the gate with anticipation.

Although they hadn't seen each other in ten thousand years, it didn't stop them from pinning their hopes on Lin Yuan.

Deep in the universe's starry expanse.

Numerous powerful beings were closely observing the distant 'scroll' that spanned the stars.

"The Celestial Gate is about to open."

"I hope it will be pushed open this time."

The powerful beings communicated swiftly. Although there weren't many powerful beings left alive in the two-dimensional world, they were essentially the true elites and foundations of their respective races and factions.

Rumble...

Just then.

The nine most powerful beings of the Human Civilization erupted with terrifying auras, wantonly stirring the spacetime waves in the nearby hundreds of thousands of light-years.

"Activating a clan's ultimate weapon is no small feat. I wonder what they're planning?"

"What are they planning? It must be to protect that 'Blood Rain', right?"

The supremely powerful beings present processed this information at lightning speed, immediately understanding the reason behind the nine powerful beings' actions.

If Lin Yuan managed to push open the Celestial Gate this time, escaping the two-dimensional world and returning to the main universe, he would undoubtedly be exposed to the eyes of the countless powerful beings present.

And given Lin Yuan's stunning performance within the two-dimensional world, there would surely be powerful beings who wouldn't be able to resist taking a direct shot at him, such as the Mother Empresses of the Insectoid and Skyfeather Clans, or even their respective Progenitors.

Perhaps even some other ultimate beings would take the chance to strike if the opportunity presented itself.

"Hmph, to go through all this trouble for a mere being within the river of time...tsk tsk."

"It's quite a spectacle, but if you were to produce an offspring like that 'Blood Rain', I imagine you'd go even further than what Human Civilization is doing now."

The multitude of powerful beings exchanged thoughts, but there was no dissent or objection to the actions of the nine powerful beings led by the Summer Revered. Instead, they even proactively retreated a distance, displaying their sincerity.

This was partly because even if Lin Yuan escaped the constraints of the two-dimensional world and returned to the main universe, the death of his avatar would not result in a fundamental loss. As such, killing him wouldn't hold much meaning.

Secondly, they also had clan members trapped within the two-dimensional world. Once Lin Yuan left, the other powerful beings from the myriad races would also be able to push open the Celestial Gate and depart.

If they were to strike at Lin Yuan now, when their own clan members eventually managed to leave the two-dimensional world, the nine powerful beings of Human Civilization would surely seek revenge. Rather than engaging in a battle that would result in heavy losses on both sides, it was better to take a step back.

Of course, this was just the train of thought of the majority of the ultimate beings present. The few Progenitors of the Skyfeather Clan, for instance, did not share this view.

This was because the Skyfeather Clan members who had fallen into the two-dimensional world had been eliminated right from the start and had no chance of ever escaping it.

However, the few Skyfeather Clan Progenitors alone could not sway the nine powerful beings of Human Civilization who were activating their clan's ultimate weapon.

"It doesn't seem to have raised any suspicions."

The Summer Revered and the other eight powerful beings exchanged glances, heaving a collective sigh of relief.

At this moment, the aura of Human Civilization's ultimate weapon still permeated half of the 'scroll', and even the powerful beings present could not pinpoint the location of the weapon to sense the aura of the human 'Blood Rain' who had escaped the confines of the two-dimensional world.

The reason behind the actions of the Summer Revered and the other powerful beings was something that the ultimate beings present could only partially guess at.

As for the true reason, it was to conceal Lin Yuan's true identity.

If the countless ultimate beings present were to realize that the human 'Blood Rain' who had escaped the two-dimensional world was merely a tenth-order being, they would surely all be tempted to take action.

It was no laughing matter—a tenth-order being had dominated and crushed the Four Divine Kings, who were eleventh-order perfect legendary beings.

Even the nine powerful beings of Human Civilization were somewhat shocked. They believed that if another force had produced such a monstrous talent, they would have taken action to eliminate the threat as well.

Fortunately, none of the ultimate beings present had considered this possibility and simply assumed that the nine powerful beings of Human Civilization were solely protecting 'Blood Rain'.

This assumption wasn't entirely wrong. If Lin Yuan hadn't informed them of his true cultivation level, the nine powerful beings of Human Civilization would have also believed him to be an eleventh-order perfect legendary being.

Two-Dimensional World.

Peak of Tian Shan.

Lin Yuan stood quietly before the Celestial Gate, which was gradually materializing.

Soon...

The Celestial Gate fully manifested.

Dense spatial power rippled like waves, spreading out in all directions.

Lin Yuan stood before the gate, but he did not immediately push it open. Instead, his mind replayed the events of the past ten thousand years.

Ten thousand years was undoubtedly the longest period of time Lin Yuan had experienced since he had become an Evolver.

Even though only a hundred years had passed in the main universe, the full ten thousand years in the two-dimensional world felt very real.

Lin Yuan only needed to reminisce slightly for all the events of the past ten thousand years to resurface in his mind.

"Even if I still can't push it open this time, I will wait for the next ten thousand years, and the ten thousand years after that."

Before he even started pushing, Lin Yuan had already prepared himself for the worst-case scenario.

After all, the last time the Celestial Gate had opened, Lin Yuan had exerted all his strength, to no avail.

Although his strength had increased significantly since then, he still wasn't sure if he would be able to push it open this time.

"Let's begin."

Lin Yuan's thoughts settled, and he gently placed his hands on the Celestial Gate.

The next moment...

The tightly shut Celestial Gate began to slowly open.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yuan was slightly taken aback. He had only placed his hands on the gate without exerting any force, yet it was opening? Lin Yuan even felt that if it had been an ordinary person standing before the gate at this moment, they would have been able to push it open just as easily.

"What's going on?"

Lin Yuan's mind raced as he recalled how, ten thousand years ago, he had used his physical divine ability 'Enhancement' to no avail.

Now, the gate was opening with mere contact, and this stark contrast caused a suspicion to form in Lin Yuan's mind.

Perhaps whether the Celestial Gate could be pushed open had nothing to do with one's strength, but rather the willingness of the 'Celestial Gate' itself to be opened?

Here, 'Celestial Gate' was a general term and not specifically referring to the gate before him. Perhaps there was another existence at play?

Creak...

The Celestial Gate slowly opened.

After a brief moment of silence, the powerful beings from the myriad races erupted into an uproar.

"The Celestial Gate...the Celestial Gate has been pushed open!

However, they could at least have the treasures they obtained brought out by those who managed to enter the gate.

Even if they had to give up most of their gains to that person, it was still better than being stuck in the two-dimensional world.

"The Celestial Gate!"

Confidence returned to the eyes of the Four Divine Kings.

As long as Lin Yuan was around, there was no way he could enter this time, but next time, after Lin Yuan left, who in this entire two-dimensional world could compete with them for the next opportunity?

In front of the Celestial Gate, Lin Yuan did not step through immediately.

The difference in difficulty between the two openings of the Celestial Gate made Lin Yuan suspicious about what else might be within.

"Since I've pushed it open."

Lin Yuan thought for a moment, then turned back to look at the excited group of human evolvers before stepping in with his right foot.

If this two-dimensional world was indeed under the control of some will that could easily alter the difficulty of opening the Celestial Gate, then whether he stepped through now or not didn't really matter.

However, for now, the Celestial Gate was Lin Yuan's only hope of leaving, so he had to take the risk.

Whoosh.

Lin Yuan stepped through the Celestial Gate.

The gate, which had manifested physically, began to close slowly, turning illusory and dissipating.

The turbulent spatial power on Tian Shan's peak quickly calmed, as if nothing had happened at all.

In the depths of the universe...

At the very moment Lin Yuan pushed open the Celestial Gate...

The Summer Revered and the other eight ultimate beings of Human Civilization were on high alert, activating their clan's ultimate weapon. The instant Lin Yuan appeared, he would be enveloped by its power.

The other ultimate beings had no way of perceiving Lin Yuan's specific aura through the might of the ultimate weapon.

Thus, the greatest secret regarding Blood Rain would be kept safe.

As the auras of the nine ultimate beings of Human Civilization permeated the area, the other ultimate beings also cooperated, withdrawing their senses and focusing solely on the 'scroll' itself.

Time passed...

The Summer Revered and the other eight human civilization ultimate beings immediately sensed that something was amiss.

Even after the Celestial Gate closed and vanished, they didn't detect any spatial fluctuations outside the scroll, nor did they find any trace of Lin Yuan.

"What's going on?"

"Where's that 'Blood Rain'?"

"Didn't he enter the Celestial Gate? Why hasn't he appeared yet?"

Not only were the nine ultimate beings of Human Civilization confused, but the other ultimate beings present also sensed that something was off.

"Could it be that the Celestial Gate, which manifested from the two-dimensional world within the scroll, doesn't lead to an external spatial passageway?"

"If it doesn't lead outside, then where does it lead?"

The multitude of ultimate beings frowned deeply. Whether or not Lin Yuan could successfully leave the two-dimensional world wasn't just a matter for Human Civilization, but also for the myriad of powerful beings still trapped within.

Lin Yuan had entered the Celestial Gate, but he hadn't returned to the main universe. Did this mean that when the Celestial Gate opened next time, the other powerful beings who pushed it open would still be unable to return to the main universe?

"Summer Revered, where is that 'Blood Rain' now after entering the Celestial Gate?"

"Yes, Summer Revered, if he hasn't escaped the confines of the two-dimensional world, where does that Celestial Gate actually lead to?"

Some of the ultimate beings looked at the Summer Revered, eagerly awaiting an answer.

Blood Rain was from Human Civilization, so the Summer Revered would definitely be able to contact his true self.

Through this connection, they could determine Blood Rain's latest whereabouts.

And this was something that all the ultimate beings present were eager to find out.

"What's the rush?"

The Summer Revered frowned, glancing at the other ultimate beings before him. He didn't immediately try to contact Lin Yuan.

Although he wasn't sure where the Celestial Gate led, he speculated that it must be an extremely important place.

Lin Yuan would need to gather his full attention to deal with whatever was within.

Disturbing him now wouldn't be a good thing.

The Summer Revered believed that once Lin Yuan had settled down, he would take the initiative to contact him.

After stepping through the Celestial Gate, Lin Yuan felt his spiritual will rapidly elevating, regaining spatial dimensional support and ascending from two dimensions to three.

At the same time, he also more clearly sensed that he was detaching from a certain world—an immense scroll that contained an endless expanse of worlds, from which he was now rapidly departing.

"So that was the two-dimensional world I fell into?" Lin Yuan immediately realized that the enormous scroll was the very world that had trapped him for over ten thousand years.

"The feeling of ascending dimensions, the feeling of descending dimensions..." Lin Yuan's experience was quite peculiar. When he had been sucked into the scroll, he hadn't even had the chance to feel what it was like to descend dimensions.

But now, as he escaped from the scroll, he fully experienced the sensation of returning to a complete, normal life.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yuan pondered for a moment, then his expression changed slightly.

He realized that although he had escaped the two-dimensional world, he had not returned to the main universe.

"Where is this?"

Lin Yuan looked around. This was a vast space, with endless gray mist in the distance, and only the enormous scroll stood out prominently.

At this moment, Lin Yuan also noticed the old man sitting in front of the scroll. Compared to the scroll, this old man was extremely 'insignificant', only half a meter tall, which was why Lin Yuan had subconsciously overlooked him.

As Lin Yuan observed the half-meter-tall old man, the old man also stared back at Lin Yuan with an odd gaze, as if assessing him.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end