When the darkest hour passes, the dawn breaks; at the road's end, the Myriad Domains appear!
This was the most accurate description.
No one had ever imagined that the very end of the King's Ancient Path was actually a passage, a channel leading to the myriad realms.
Ye Chen was astonished, and even Old Yan was taken aback.
Generation after generation of Divine Spirits from the Tian Du Continent had thrown themselves forward, striving ceaselessly to leave the Tian Du Continent and venture to a new world. Although they had survived the most terrifying spatial storms, they had also been slaughtered by the foreign power guarding the continent, staining the borderlands with their blood.
It was a tragic history of blood and tears.
And now, at the very end of the King's Ancient Path, there existed a true passage to the myriad realms. With a single step, one could completely leave the bounds of the Tian Du Continent and enter the myriad realms.
Ye Chen and Old Yan stood on the threshold of the stone gate, actively releasing their divine sense to survey the other side of the passage. There were no foreign power guardians, nor anyone lying in wait. It was a desolate land within the Myriad Domains, devoid of human presence, inhabited only by primordial ancient beasts that had lived there for generations. It could be said to be dangerous, yet from a certain perspective, it was also safe.
When the darkest hour passes, the dawn breaks; at the road's end, a new world appears!
"Is this... the world beyond the borders that generations of our ancestors on the Tian Du Continent yearned for?"
The others were also stirred with excitement, including Ancient Talents like Yang Wushuang and Xia Yang, because beside the ancient gate stood an ancient stone stele. The ancient script on it clearly stated that this path led to the myriad realms beyond the Tian Du Continent, to a vast and boundless world countless times greater.
Reaching the end of the ancient path signified the qualification to leave the Tian Du Continent and venture into the more expansive, vast, and bizarre myriad realms.
Based on the various pieces of information from the stele, they learned—the myriad realms were a truly boundless and vast great world. The Tian Du Continent, when placed among the Myriad Domains, was but a drop in the ocean. The foreign power guarding the Tian Du Continent was merely a small part of the Myriad Domains.
That place was vast beyond description, an ancient world that had existed for endless eons. It held countless bizarre and wondrous things, the most ancient races, supreme beings for whom plucking stars and seizing the moon was but a trivial matter, immortal ancient Sacred Lands and great sects, Sky Cities that never fell, methods leading to eternal immortality, and the First Supreme Imperial Throne that could reign over the great cosmos and all domains and worlds...
Passage after passage of ancient script stirred excitement among all the young powerhouses. Amidst their uncertainty, they were also filled with anticipation for that ancient great world.
In the myriad realms, with sufficient opportunity and talent, one could become a true powerhouse.
The strongest of the Tian Du Continent, though powerful when viewed within the Myriad Domains, were far from the strongest. There existed even more powerful figures, ancient Great Sages capable of annihilating the Tian Du Continent with a wave of their hand, supreme beings capable of splitting heaven and earth.
This was a vast, endless, and spectacular great world, a world brimming with opportunities waiting for them to discover, a world that could allow their potential to erupt completely.
All of this, this was the myriad realms—a great world of opportunity and infinite wonder within the heavens, something they eagerly anticipated!
However, Ye Chen gazed into the distance towards the myriad realms but did not take a single step forward. He also looked at the other members of the younger generation, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement. His figure stood at the very forefront, blocking everyone's path like a demonic mountain.
"Ye Chen, you..." Xia Yang was puzzled. The new world was right ahead; a single step would take them there. Why was he blocking their advance?
Ye Chen said, "The myriad realms are indeed a spectacular great world, with vast and boundless territories, myriad races, billions of living beings, and countless cultivators. However, it is not all brightness and light. Like those Young Kings we encountered earlier in the Void Heaven Domain, who among you dares to say you can resist them?"
His words were like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over them, causing everyone to shiver with a chill that ran through their bodies, waking them from their immersed, beautiful dream.
This was a cruel reality. The myriad realms represented a broader world and endless opportunities, but they also represented far greater dangers than the Tian Du Continent.
This was an unknown great world, filled with countless opportunities but also accompanied by countless dangers. It was not the Tian Du Continent; it even held terrifying Young Kings.
Such figures were peerlessly powerful. Any one of them could sweep through everyone present without a match. Only supreme beings like Ye Chen could contend with them. If they encountered them, it would be a one-way ticket to death.
Although the Tian Du Continent was small, it was also like a sheltered harbor, protecting their safety.
Ye Chen continued closely, "Moreover, once we step out of this passage, we might not be able to return. It could be a one-way passage with no return. And outside the passage, there might exist supreme beings no weaker than several Divine Spirits. With a single thought from their divine sense, we would all die. Are you sure you want to go?"
Ye Chen's words were like bucket after bucket of cold water thrown at them, making their hearts grow cold and tremble. They had never imagined that the dreamt-of myriad realms were not only not a paradise but could very well be a land of danger, with perils everywhere.
Li Taixu suddenly said, "Ye Chen, are the myriad realms really that dangerous?"
Ye Chen shook his head. "What do you think of those few Young Kings at the King's Ancient Gate?"
The others were taken aback, Li Taixu included, not understanding why Ye Chen suddenly asked this question. But he still answered, "Very powerful, called Young Kings, even stronger than that Donghua Haoyi. We are no match for him. Among those present, only you can rival him."
Ye Chen said, "These Young Kings are indeed very powerful, reigning supreme among their generation, their combat power having reached its peak. All of you together would not be a match for any single Young King."
These words were quite blunt, but they were the truth. This was especially true for the five Ancient Talents, who had faced a Young King, Donghua Haoyi, three years ago and were far from his match. Even though three years had passed and they had grown stronger, there was still a gap between them and Donghua Haoyi. The five of them joining forces might barely manage a fight, but defeating him would be difficult.
As for the other young elites, none had reached the peak of the Martial God realm. Even though their numbers were not small, around thirteen or fourteen, they would still be of little use against a Young King. To put it bluntly, they might even be more of a hindrance.
King Hao, the Flame Dragon King, Purple Snow Fairy, and others were even stronger than Donghua Haoyi from back then. They were even less of a match.
"However, are Young Kings truly invincible among their generation?" Ye Chen suddenly said a sentence that startled the young powerhouses. They seemed to gain some understanding, their hearts trembling. Could it be that Young Kings were not the strongest?
Ye Chen gave a faint, somewhat indifferent smile but did not speak. Yet, this also made them feel their hearts tremble and despair. Kings were not necessarily the strongest; above them existed even more powerful individuals of the same generation.
Kings were already sufficiently powerful and terrifying, their combat power peerless, with none to rival them. They made everyone feel as if an insurmountably high mountain stood before them, something they could only look up to but never surpass.
But according to Ye Chen's meaning, there clearly existed even stronger beings beyond Kings, ones that could be called peerless and matchless.
How was that possible!?
Everyone's expressions changed, but Ye Chen didn't seem to be lying, causing them all to suffer a tremendous impact.
Ye Chen merely gave an indifferent smile and did not speak. The scene fell into a silent emptiness, with no one else speaking.
Ye Chen was not the least bit anxious. In fact, the passage to the myriad realms was right before his eyes. He no longer needed to agonize over how to leave the Tian Du Continent for the myriad realms, nor did he need to worry about danger. Old Yan's existence was enough to guarantee his personal safety to the greatest extent.
Moreover, he was no pushover himself, possessing other trump cards.
Finally, Ye Chen said, "Everyone, there's no need to be conflicted. The door to leave the Tian Du Continent is right here; it won't close. And this time, our purpose was merely to pass through the King's Ancient Path. We are not prepared to leave the Tian Du Continent. Leaving rashly would be too hasty. The proper path is to return and discuss this properly with our elders."
"Also, my words earlier were indeed a bit excessive. Although the myriad realms are dangerous, they are indeed filled with opportunities. Everyone need not worry about immediately encountering life-and-death crises. Some things need not be thought of in the worst possible light."
The young powerhouses thought it over carefully and felt Ye Chen's words were quite reasonable. Moreover, the amount of information this time was too great. They should return and discuss it properly with the higher-ups of their respective major forces.
They all agreed to return first and then make a decision. Before leaving, Ye Chen placed seals at the passage to prevent anyone from damaging it or entering from within. Naturally, these seals contained Old Yan's power.
All the obstacles along the King's Ancient Path had been overcome. The return journey would have no hindrances; even the Soul-Snatching River would no longer be a problem. The group boarded that divine ship and soared away through the air.
Under Ye Chen's control, the divine ship swiftly traversed layer upon layer of void. The formations placed on the ship by the various Divine Spirits were activated, making it as fast as a flash of lightning or a shooting star, streaking across the King's Ancient Path.
The journey of hundreds of thousands of miles was crossed in merely a day. Finally, the divine ship appeared at the exit of the King's Ancient Path, at that ancient hall. Ye Chen, leading the young powerhouses, all appeared.
In the ancient hall, no other Divine Spirits were seen. Only a Heavenly God realm elder was waiting there, his brow carrying a barely concealed worry. Only when he saw everyone appear did it ease somewhat, and he let out a sigh of relief before becoming pleasantly surprised. "Could it be that you have all completely passed through the King's Ancient Path?"
"Completely passed through, and obtained some fortuitous encounters," Ye Chen nodded. However, before that Heavenly God could speak, Ye Chen looked at the unresolved worry in his brow and immediately frowned. "Elder, speak. Has something happened?"
Everyone grew tense. They all sensed that trace of worry and felt concerned.
The Heavenly God had no choice but to say, "The foreign army is about to attack. They have successfully opened a stable spatial channel that cannot be broken. They could launch their assault at any moment; a great battle might even be happening right now. I was dispatched by several Divine Spirit lords to receive and guide you all. I'm not too clear about the situation there."