The 49th Pass. One could sense that this Trial Ancient Pass was far more majestic, grand, and imposing than any previous Trial Ancient Pass.
This was not only because it was a pass located further along the path, but more importantly, the 49th Pass was no ordinary Trial Ancient Pass. It was an exceptionally special one, far beyond comparison with the others.
As the saying goes, the Great Dao numbers forty-nine. Precisely because of this, the existence of the 49th Pass held an extraordinary significance. It was a crucial Trial Ancient Pass on the entire Ancient Path, even serving as a watershed for the entire Ultimate Ancient Path.
Only by reaching this point did one prove they had the qualification to venture into the depths of the Ultimate Ancient Path, to contend with the strongest Heaven's Prides from various ancient universes, and to vie for the "Ultimate" at the final pass.
Naturally, the uniqueness of the 49th Pass was not limited to this. Throughout the ages, countless rumors had circulated about it—traces of Emperors, immortal fates, undying fortunes, and so on, too numerous to count, shrouding this Trial Ancient Pass in layer upon layer of mystery, further highlighting its extraordinary significance.
It is worth mentioning that all Trial Ancient Passes on the Ultimate Ancient Path were established within the starry void, serving as lighthouses in the vast cosmos, guiding the Trial-takers forward.
However, the 49th Pass was different. It did not hover in the starry void. Instead, it was located on a separate, flourishing Life Ancient Star.
Moreover, this was an extremely massive Life Ancient Star, far larger than ordinary stars. In terms of surface area, it was not much smaller than the Emperor Realm, demonstrating its immense size, spanning hundreds of millions of li.
This Life Ancient Star was vast and magnificent, containing a continent spanning hundreds of millions of li and endless oceans.
Countless races thrived here, with innumerable factions, ancient kingdoms, humans, demonic beasts, dwarves, elves, stone people...
It could be said that this was an indescribably prosperous ancient star. Speaking of a hundred schools of thought would be an understatement; ten thousand sects would not be an exaggeration, with countless factions.
Within the entire ancient universe, this was one of the most important stars. Moreover, in the past, it had given birth to a Great Emperor who reigned supreme throughout the ages, leaving behind countless majestic imperial traces that were still celebrated by countless people to this day.
Precisely because of this, the entire Life Ancient Star possessed an extraordinary aura, an intangible, majestic imperial presence. It was an Imperial Star, known as the Birth Emperor Star.
As the name implied, it was an ancient star that had birthed a Great Emperor.
For these various reasons, the extremely important 49th Pass of the Ultimate Ancient Path was chosen to be established on this Birth Emperor Star. There were even rumors that this was the will of that Great Emperor.
In short, there were far too many legends about the 49th Pass, a Trial Ancient Pass imbued with immense significance.
An even more mysterious point was that there was no 50th Pass on the Ultimate Ancient Path. The next pass after the 49th was the 51st.
The Fiftieth Trial Pass seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving behind countless legends.
Some said the Fiftieth Trial Pass had collapsed and vanished after experiencing a world-shaking divine war in the past.
Some said the Fiftieth Trial Pass never existed. The Great Dao numbers forty-nine; fifty is the one that escaped, not existing in this world.
Others said the Fiftieth Trial Pass was hidden within the Birth Emperor Star. Only from the 49th Pass, also located on the Birth Emperor Star, could one proceed to the Fiftieth Trial Pass.
And it concealed a heaven-shaking secret. Perhaps one could obtain from it the mysteries pointing to the Emperor's Ultimate, or perhaps one could embark from there onto another mysterious Supreme Ancient Path—a path of supremacy that only Emperor sons and daughters were qualified to tread.
Opinions varied widely. In short, there were many legends about the Fiftieth Trial Pass. And because of the special nature of the 49th Pass, many people always linked the two together, attracting the attention of various powerful factions.
Regardless, the 49th Pass was exceptionally prosperous and bustling, far surpassing any previous Ancient Pass.
Not only were there Ancient Path Trial-takers, but also various powerful experts from the Birth Emperor Star coming and going. Overlords appeared from time to time, streaks of light streaking across the sky, showcasing the extraordinary nature of this pass.
Upon reaching this pass, even Ye Chen did not dare to be careless. To avoid trouble, the dark golden divine ring of the Emperor's Curse enveloping his body had long been concealed by him using a special method.
Unless one opened their Heavenly Eye and was a sufficiently powerful existence, they generally could not see it. This was because he did not wish to attract too much attention.
The Ultimate Ancient Path could only perform long-distance teleportation up to this pass; it could not teleport one to the deepest parts.
Ye Chen was already very satisfied with this. After all, traveling from the 32nd Pass to the 49th Pass had taken only about a month. To cross over a dozen passes this quickly was something to be content with.
Naturally, this was also because his cultivation was sufficiently powerful. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to be exceptionally teleported here.
To proceed to the next pass, one had to wait for the trial to begin.
Walking within the 49th Pass, Ye Chen moved through the crowds, witnessing countless people bustling about, giving him a feeling of returning to the mortal world.
It must be said, the 49th Pass was truly lively, far surpassing the previous forty-eight Trial Ancient Passes on the Ancient Path. Its level of prosperity and bustle was simply incomparable to other Trial Ancient Passes.
Numerous heroes gathered here—not just Ancient Path Trial-takers, but also countless powerful experts from the Birth Emperor Star. Heavenly Kings were a common sight, Great Powers roamed freely. Various factions had established halls and palaces within this pass. There were also all kinds of taverns, auction houses, gambling dens, and pleasure quarters stationed here. Ordinary commoners were also present, with a population numbering at least in the tens of millions.
One must remember, this was a Trial Ancient Pass on the Ultimate Ancient Path, not the capital of an ancient kingdom. Yet it was like this, truly astonishing.
"Attention everyone! Fresh Dragon-Ignoring buns just out of the oven! Made with genuine dragon meat, not to be missed!"
"Sugar-coated hawthorns made from ten-thousand-year Vermilion Fruits! Take a bite and your cultivation will soar! Perfect for children's foundation building, keeps women's beauty eternal!"
"Funerary objects stolen from a Sovereign's ancient tomb! This is a Sovereign's Ancient Scripture, recording the supreme Dao techniques of a Primordial Sovereign's entire life! Priceless treasure, come buy it early!"
"Come take a look, everyone! This is Sovereign Yuechu's Sun-Shooting Divine Bow! Back in the day, it shot forth an arrow that brought down the great sun of the Canggu Star Domain! Now for sale!"
The streets were packed shoulder to shoulder, with a constant stream of traffic and a sea of people. Stalls were everywhere, hawking their wares, all boasting of astonishing divine objects. Yet not a single one was real; they were all fakes. Still, they attracted quite a bit of attention.
Streaks of light also flashed across the sky—all important figures traversing the air, with no one daring to obstruct them.
This did not resemble a Trial Ancient Pass on the Ultimate Ancient Path; it was more like the capital city of some major faction. Within the entire Birth Emperor Star, the 49th Pass ranked among the top-tier colossal cities.
Moreover, the 49th Pass housed a sufficient number of Ancient Path Trial-takers, far surpassing other Trial Ancient Passes. Ye Chen even spotted several Trial Heaven's Prides he had seen once before. Some he had seen back at the First Pass. He also saw particularly powerful young generation's supremes here—more than one. They had long since broken into the Great Power realm, each like an overlord of an ancient universe, their majestic bearing awe-inspiring, their presence grand, causing others to give way.
Among them, Ye Chen had met several.
Such as the Sun King. His entire body shone with divine light, every inch of his flesh seeming to contain a blazing sun, radiating dazzling brilliance that made one dare not look directly at him. He was a supremely powerful young generation's supreme. Recently, he had just stepped into the Great Power realm, yet possessed fearsome combat power rivaling those at the third or fourth heaven. He was a terrifying Supreme Heaven's Pride.
Yet he was the disciple of the Sealed Realm Supreme One, the Sun God, inheriting the Sun Saint Technique from the same lineage.
Sheng Tian was similar, riding a unicorn horse, his entire body holy and flawless, traversing the sky.
Ye Chen even saw that pair of immortal lovers from the Moon Hall.
The young generation's supremes he had seen in the past had now basically all broken into the Great Power realm. Their cultivation had become increasingly profound and unfathomable. They had traveled far along this Ancient Path, possessing even stronger competitiveness.
The number of young generation's supremes located within the 49th Pass was not small. Those seen before the eyes were only a part of them. Some were not in this pass but elsewhere on the Birth Emperor Star.
Others had arrived at this pass long ago and had not left.
Ye Chen did not reveal his identity. He silently observed for three days, roughly understanding the reason why these young generation's supremes remained at the 49th Pass. He had heard rumors along the way to the 49th Pass and learned about some astonishing legends concerning the 49th Pass and the Birth Emperor Star.
Although they had not been confirmed, they still stirred his heart.
After lingering for a short while, Ye Chen turned and left, proactively heading towards the residence of the City Lord, the Great Power guarding the 49th Pass.
It must be said, the one capable of becoming the City Lord, the Great Power guarding the 49th Pass, was definitely no ordinary Great Power.
Because of this pass's importance and special nature, one could see that it was an exceptionally grand and majestic residence. Within, experts were as numerous as clouds, with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Even the guards at the main gate were surprisingly powerful. Ordinary people could not casually enter.
"This is the City Lord's residence. Idlers are not permitted to enter!"
The guards defending the residence directly intercepted Ye Chen, their expressions cold, two war spears crossed.
Anyone could tell these were super experts seasoned in countless battles. Clad in divine armor, they carried a strong scent of blood, having experienced innumerable great battles. Yet now they had condescended to become gatekeepers.
This City Lord's residence was quite extraordinary.
Ye Chen nodded slightly in his heart. He did not force his way in. With a flip of his palm, he revealed a token. It appeared very ordinary, yet it was engraved with the two characters "Snow Mist," swirling with faint threads of Sovereign-level undying majesty.
This was a reward bestowed upon him by the Ultimate Ancient Path for his glorious achievements—the Sovereign Ancient Token of Sovereign Snow Mist, a token additionally granted later.
As long as one possessed this Sovereign Ancient Token, they could act with convenience at any Trial Ancient Pass on the Ultimate Ancient Path. No one beneath the Sovereign level would dare to obstruct them.
Upon seeing this Sovereign Ancient Token, the expressions of the pair of gatekeepers immediately changed. Not only did they quickly withdraw their war spears, but they also half-bowed, their entire demeanor becoming respectful. They did not dare to obstruct in the slightest, saying, "Please forgive our ignorance, my lord."
"It's fine. You are all just doing your duty," Ye Chen waved his hand. "I wish to see the City Lord. Is the City Lord currently in the residence?"
A Trial Ancient Pass was both a checkpoint and an ancient city. One could be called the Pass Lord or the City Lord.
"The City Lord is indeed in the residence."