Tian Du Academy occupied a vast and expansive area, appearing even larger than it seemed from the outside. This was due to the intertwining Heavenly God formation patterns and the Dao marks of the Divine Spirit realm imprinted upon the void, making Tian Du Academy appear much more spacious than the outside world, almost forming a new realm of its own.
The location of the Trial Gates was situated deep within the academy, in an open square.
Behind the square stood a majestic mountain, its body grand and towering, reaching a height of a thousand zhang. Its peak soared into the clouds, ethereal and unseen, veiled by mist and smoke.
From afar, one could see eight stone gates erected on the mountain from bottom to top, each separated by a distance of over a hundred zhang. However, the further up, the larger the gates became. Especially the final gate standing atop the peak was absurdly tall. Even from the foot of the mountain, one could discern its immense size, reaching a full hundred zhang in height. The gate's body was imposing and grand, giving off a strong sense of oppression.
The Trial Gates!
These were the legendary Trial Gates, also known as the Eightfold Trial Gates. Each successive gate was twice as tall and twice as wide as the previous one.
The first gate was one zhang tall, the second two zhang, the third four zhang, the fourth eight zhang, the fifth sixteen zhang, the sixth thirty-two zhang, the seventh sixty-four zhang, and the eighth one hundred twenty-eight zhang, even towering over the black city walls of Tian Du City.
As for width, the first gate had two side doors each half a zhang long, and so on, with the eighth gate reaching sixty-four zhang in width.
It could be said that this was a gate within Tian Du Academy specifically designed to test a student's strength, similar to the Power Monument in Xia Feng Academy. It required genuine strength to push open.
However, this so-called strength had to be the most fearsome kind.
Pushing open just the first gate required a force of one thousand jin, which wasn't much. Any student of Tian Du Academy could easily accomplish it.
But starting from the second gate, it wasn't merely twice the weight of the first; it was four times. Because it was twice as long and wide as the first gate, its weight quadrupled to four thousand jin.
The third gate required sixteen thousand jin, and so on, increasing layer by layer. The sixth gate weighed nearly a million jin, and the eighth gate was absurdly heavy, exceeding ten million jin.
It was said to be far more than that, as the eighth Trial Gate was the most mysterious.
It could be said that this was a true Trial Gate in name and fact, a barrier blocking all students.
Legend had it that pushing open the eighth stone gate not only granted unparalleled generous rewards but also, once opened, would reveal a mysterious passage leading to a new, enigmatic realm.
Of course, all this was merely legend. In the history of Tian Du Academy, no student had ever achieved this.
Because it was too difficult, simply impossible.
Even the various Divine Spirits, in their youth, had come to test it, but rumor had it none had ever truly succeeded in pushing open the eighth Trial Gate.
Moreover, it could only be pushed by the younger generation. Once past a certain age, one couldn't move it even a fraction, not even the first gate.
This prehistoric Trial Gate left behind a riddle-like secret, unknown to the world, awaiting exploration by future generations.
In front of the mountain was a rather spacious square. At its center, surrounded by numerous senior academy students, stood over three hundred vibrant young men and women at this moment.
These were the young prodigies of this year who had passed the Trial Path. Anyone who could pass the Trial Path was basically at least a Xiantian realm expert, their auras robust, far surpassing any previous year's freshmen.
They could almost be called the strongest class in Tian Du Academy's history, rarely matched in the past.
Not far away stood several dignified academy elders, all esteemed Martial God realm figures, here to test the trial results of the many students.
Ye Chen's gaze swept across and soon spotted Xia Teng, Xia Yang, Vivian, and Hong Rong present. Yang Yi was also there. He smiled slightly, relieved to see them safe and sound.
He also glanced towards a spot not far away, where several dignified carriages were parked. Although they emitted no aura, Ye Chen's perception was exceptionally sharp. He sensed that the figures seated within were terrifyingly powerful and familiar.
The several Ancient Talents had indeed come. It was likely true, as said in the tavern, that these Ancient Talents intended to test the Trial Gates.
Additionally, numerous powerful auras were hidden in the shadows. Although some hadn't reached the Martial God realm, they were at the peak of the Xiantian realm, and their auras were very young. Without thinking, it was clear these must be the strongest prodigies from the Heaven-tier Academy.
He hadn't expected the Trial Gates to attract so much attention.
Similarly, he felt a trace of curiosity towards these Eightfold Trial Gates because he sensed they possessed a special Dao charm, unlike anything from this world. Instead, they seemed more like divine artifacts from the myriad realms.
Just then, Old Yan chuckled, "The Trial Gates? Heh, I never thought I'd see them here too. What a coincidence."
Ye Chen was surprised. Old Yan seemed to know the origin of the Trial Gates, so he inquired directly.
Old Yan said, "In the myriad realms, I once saw a similar eightfold stone gate at the center of the Myriad Domains. However, it wasn't called the Trial Gates but the Eightfold Heaven-Earth Gate, far more magnificent than these Eightfold Trial Gates before us. But legend has it that Eightfold Heaven-Earth Gate was a spatial teleportation gate leading to an unknown land. These Eightfold Trial Gates likely have a corresponding effect, possibly connecting to some mysterious place, perhaps even to the outside world, allowing entry into the myriad realms."
Ye Chen nodded, his curiosity about the Eightfold Trial Gates growing heavier. If he could use this gate to enter the myriad realms, it would save him a lot of effort.
However, his intuition told him the outcome wouldn't be simple.
At that moment, he had already formed an idea. If necessary, he would also attempt to push the Trial Gates to see if the space behind the eighth gate truly led to the myriad realms.
Now, an academy elder strode forward, arriving before the Trial Gates. Facing the hundreds of freshmen participating in the trial test, he nodded solemnly and then shouted in a stern voice, "I believe you all understand that every year there is a freshman test to assess the strength of new students. Today marks the opening of the Trial Gates trial for freshmen, designed to test your respective strengths."
"There's no need to push open many gates. Even if it's just the first Trial Gate, we will not punish you. However, starting from the fourth Trial Gate, you will receive the qualification to cultivate in our Tian Du Academy's Sacred Land. The fourth gate grants three days, the fifth ten days, the sixth one month, and the seventh one year."
As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused a huge uproar.
Because the Sacred Land was the highest-grade cultivation ground in Tian Du Academy. The heaven and earth spiritual energy there wasn't just the purest; it existed as visible mist, and even precious spiritual liquid formed spiritual pools for cultivation, allowing cultivation speed to advance by leaps and bounds.
Moreover, within that Sacred Land, one could comprehend the Dao, as it contained Dao traces left by sages of past generations. Cultivating there long-term would allow one to perceive the various Dao marks within.
Even entering for just one day was enough to significantly boost one's cultivation, making rapid progress.
It could be said this was a cultivation holy land that every student dreamed of, coveted by all, but only provided to truly outstanding elites.
Even within Tian Du Academy, there was fierce competition. Those not sufficiently talented weren't worthy of abundant cultivation resources.
Suddenly, someone couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Elder, what if someone pushes open the eighth Trial Gate?"
This question suddenly drew everyone's attention and focus. It wasn't just that person who wanted to ask; even others were curious. Pushing open the seventh gate granted a year in the Sacred Land. Wouldn't the reward for pushing open the eighth be even more heaven-defying?
Countless gazes fell upon that elder, seeking an answer.
The trial elder was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting this question, as pushing the eighth gate was considered too inconceivable and had never been considered before. But at that moment, an elder with an immortal-like demeanor suddenly descended from the sky. An extraordinary Dao charm circulated around him, his aura transcendent, his hair and beard white like an immortal.
However, the appearance of this elder immediately caused the three Martial God elders to respectfully bow and salute: "We pay our respects to Elder Ouyang."
Without a doubt, this was a powerful Heavenly God realm expert, a Supreme Elder of high status within Tian Du Academy. His unique aura descended upon this place, causing everyone to bow and salute respectfully. No one dared not to, including the strongest elites from the Heaven-tier Academy.
Only the Ancient Talents within the four carriages did not emerge to pay respects. Their status was too noble; they were the strongest talents from ancient times. Even in the contemporary super forces, Heavenly Gods would address them as 'My Lord,' indicating their esteemed status. Naturally, they wouldn't bow and salute.
On another note, Ye Chen's figure was somewhat blurred, but no one knew if he had saluted or not.
"We pay our respects to the Supreme Elder."
The Supreme Elder nodded, appearing approachable without any Heavenly God Dao might emanating from him. He nodded with a gentle smile, signaling everyone not to be nervous, then said, "That's a good question. Although no one has ever pushed open the eighth gate, this old man can say here that whoever can push open the eighth Trial Gate will also have the qualification to become a future leader of Tian Du Academy."
As soon as these words were spoken, they exploded like spring thunder, shocking everyone!