Boom—
The most terrifying aura erupted, spreading to the six directions and eight wildernesses.
It was the Tai Chu Saint Lord. The aura emanating from her body suddenly intensified many times over, like a female emperor overlooking all heavens had emerged into the world. Her divine might overshadowed everything, causing the heavens and earth to tremble, and the vast land to rapidly crack.
That aura made even the other overlords change color. It was too powerful, not an exaggeration to call it peerless and unrivaled, making the Primordial Spirits of the overlords feel as if they were on the verge of shattering.
The other experts of the allied army all turned pale, especially the young geniuses, who trembled even more. Even the various kings were no exception. Only Ye Chen and Ye Gucheng remained somewhat composed, but their expressions were still grim.
Because this pressure was terrifying, enough to make even them change color.
They saw the beautiful, clear eyes of the Tai Chu Saint Lord suddenly become many times sharper, like heavenly swords shooting forth, gleaming brilliantly as she gazed at the majestic Immortal Pass.
The various overlords were astonished and puzzled. Why had the Tai Chu Saint Lord suddenly become so sharp and forceful? She had always been calm and indifferent before, but the moment she saw the Pass, she became like this, which was very suspicious.
"Tai Chu Saint Lord, you are..." others inquired.
The Tai Chu Saint Lord gently shook her head, her hair cascading down. The icy, bone-chilling indifference on her peerless, world-toppling beautiful face disappeared. A layer of mist welled up in her eyes, and two clear tears actually streaked across her delicate, flawless visage.
This scene stunned everyone. She was actually shedding tears.
It must be known that when this female Saint Lord from the Tai Chu Sacred Land had astounded the world, she had always presented herself with an unrivaled, forceful posture, like a female emperor overlooking the mortal realm. She had slain overlords and forcefully confronted the emperors of Immortal Empires. No one considered her a weak woman.
But at this moment, she clearly displayed the vulnerability of a woman, shedding tears profusely—unprecedented and unbelievable.
However, some powerful Immortal Sacred Lands understood part of the inside story and had heard some rumors. This forceful Tai Chu Saint Lord once had a fiancé, a man who was invincible among his generation across the myriad realms, powerful and peerless, dominating the world, almost making all the heaven's favored sons of that era pale in comparison. The Immortal True Kings of the past generation had their deserved glory snatched away.
That man, though young, came from the Forbidden Lineage and also broke the myth after the Mythical Era, becoming a heaven-defying Supreme One of the Tenth Heaven. Targeted by the hostile forces of the Forbidden Lineage, he was framed and killed by several Great Powers of the opposing forces using dishonorable means decades ago, perishing within a mighty ancient pass, similar to the Immortal Pass before them.
Now, the Tai Chu Saint Lord was moved by the scene, recalling the past.
She stared at the Pass, her aura soaring to the heavens, terrifyingly powerful, almost about to take action herself to attack that Immortal Pass.
Ye Chen looked at the tear-streaked face of the beauty, his heart aching unbearably. He very much wanted to step forward and embrace the seemingly vulnerable female Saint Lord, to cherish and protect her. But he could not, at least not yet.
"Are we still going to attack the Pass?"
Someone couldn't help but ask. The previous nine thousand-zhang ancient passes were already difficult to capture, costing considerable strength. Now, facing a mighty Pass of unknown height and grandeur, where even the stars of the heavens seemed minuscule before it—how could they capture it?
This made everyone present feel deeply powerless, because it was too hopeless. The Pass was unimaginably grand and seemingly immovable. Who could breach it?
For a moment, everyone fell silent. No one knew how they should capture it. Did they really have to attack? But the sheer enormity of the Pass was despair-inducing.
"We must attack the Pass. The Primordial Immortal Realm lies on the other side," an overlord spoke, making others change color. But other overlords also nodded. At this point, this was the best course of action.
However, Palace Master Yang shook her head to dissuade them: "Everyone, if it were the previous few ancient passes, it would be one thing. But we must think thrice before acting regarding this Pass. You surely haven't forgotten the two incidents over forty years ago. Do you still dare to attack the Pass now? Aren't you afraid of provoking some fearsome, great evil?"
Her words made the overlords change color one after another. If it were an ordinary matter, it would be different. As leaders of major powers, how could they not know some taboo truths?
Just forty years ago, the ancient Pass had truly manifested in the world twice. Each time was accompanied by endless foul wind and blood rain, countless casualties, and heavy losses. It was regarded as a taboo.
It was said that even ancient Great Sages had nearly perished beneath the Pass.
Now, Palace Master Yang's reminder made them recall those events from over forty years ago, and they couldn't help but look grave.
Ye Chen hoped even more that everyone would retreat. At this moment, he arrived beside Zhao Tianyi and transmitted his voice: "Brother Zhao, take advantage of the time and retreat. The Pass is very dangerous. Once opened, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Zhao Tianyi looked at Ye Chen in surprise, but facing this True King friend, he chose to believe him and nodded: "Alright, I'll find an opportunity to leave."
Then, Ye Chen looked at Daochu, Beiming Gongwang, and other kings he had fought alongside: "Gentlemen, could you listen to my advice? Leave the ancient path immediately. It's best to persuade your Saint Lords as well. Don't ask why, just leave."
Daochu and the others were greatly shocked, but they understood that someone of Ye Chen's status as an Immortal True King would never speak nonsense. Him speaking like this must have his reasons. They all nodded: "We will do our utmost to persuade our Saint Lords and elders to leave."
Finally, Ye Chen looked at Ye Gucheng, this fellow young genius and Immortal True King. Before he could even speak, Ye Gucheng spoke first. This man suddenly smiled. Though it was plain, it also conveyed something: "No need to worry. Our Ye family fears nothing."
Ye Chen was slightly taken aback, then understood.
The imperial Ye clan—how could they be ordinary?
At this moment, the Emperor of Zhao Kingdom, though his expression was grave, also smiled: "Palace Master Yang worries too much. This time, the forces we have gathered are greater than in the past. Moreover, we have the permission of those people. Everything we see, they see as well. The fact that they haven't stopped us so far tells us everything."
The other overlords' expressions changed repeatedly. They all turned to look behind them, gazing at the profound sky. Their breathing seemed to become heavier, but they ultimately nodded: "Fine. Since they aren't stopping us, it means they tacitly approve of our actions."
Palace Master Yang sighed softly, knowing further words were useless. A trace of worry appeared on her beautiful, dignified face.
"Army, prepare to attack the Pass!"
The overlords gave the order.
"Kill!"
The allied army charged forward, preparing to unleash the forbidden ancient weapons at close range to attack the Pass. But just then, everyone discovered that right before the Pass, there was actually another extraordinary ancient pass standing. It wasn't much smaller than the previous nine passes, but it appeared too insignificant before the Immortal Pass, which was why it had only been noticed now.
This ancient pass was quite dilapidated, even more so than the previous nine. A large section of its city wall had collapsed. Yet, standing there, it possessed an immovable quality.
On this ancient pass, there was also a guardian lineage, very powerful, but there were also many elderly, disabled, women, and children present. Seeing the allied army, they suddenly changed color. Many became agitated, hurriedly asking if they came from the myriad realms.
The allied army nodded: "We intend to attack the Pass. Please open the city gate, or we will forcefully attack. Don't doubt it; we forcefully breached the previous nine passes."
The guardians of the Tenth Ancient Pass changed color. A middle-aged man stepped forward. He looked heroic and stalwart, clad in divine armor, his brow full of authority, and astonishingly powerful—more so than the overlords present on average, making even the ancient recluse feel threatened. He was clearly a Saint Realm supreme expert at the Ninth Heaven peak.
He was tall and heroic. Though he appeared only middle-aged, he was actually very old, with graying temples—at least over a thousand years old. But his vitality was still vigorous, giving off a strong sense of oppressive might surpassing that of Saint Lord-level figures. One could feel a strong killing intent, clearly indicating he was a super warrior who had long been seasoned on the battlefield.
This person was the Checkpoint Master of this dilapidated ancient pass. Upon learning the allied army's intent, he hurriedly tried to stop them: "You must not attack, nor cross. The other side is a land of great evil. This ancient pass is the penultimate line of defense, one of the important lines guarding against the alien race."
Though this Checkpoint Master was powerful, the overlords stood firm without fear, stepping forward: "In that case, you should open the ancient pass all the more. We fear nothing. We have gathered the forces of various Immortal powers from the Myriad Domains. We wish to cross the Pass and enter the Primordial Immortal Realm."
"Primordial Immortal Realm?" Unexpectedly, upon hearing this term, the Checkpoint Master looked bitter. The others of the guardian lineage also fell silent, giving the allied army an uneasy feeling.
"You should go back. There is no such thing as a Primordial Immortal Realm. The Pass cannot be breached, nor entered."
Finally, the Checkpoint Master's figure seemed weary as he waved his hand at the overlords, telling them to leave and not stay here any longer.
The allied army insisted on staying. An overlord even said: "Impossible. In the past, a supreme sacred land vanished overnight. We suspect that sacred land truly entered the Primordial Immortal Realm. Therefore, we must cross the ancient pass to find it."
"You must be referring to the Purple Mansion Sacred Land," the Checkpoint Master said, but the expression on his face grew even more bitter.
The overlords nodded.
The Checkpoint Master said: "You think too much. Although the Purple Mansion Sacred Land was very powerful, it never truly entered the other side of the Pass. It's all your imagination."
Everyone was greatly shocked. The Purple Mansion Great Power had clearly stated in the past that he would lead the entire Purple Mansion Sacred Land into the legendary Primordial Immortal Realm. But now, this was being denied. Why?
"Because we are the people of the Purple Mansion Sacred Land." The Checkpoint Master of the guardian lineage then uttered these words, like a spring thunderclap, stunning everyone present.