789 Entering
Ultimate Land, a golden opportunity! Xu Jingming and numerous other half-step third-realm powerhouses couldn’t contain their excitement as they beheld the majestic palace complex ascending before their eyes.
“We, invincible half-step third-realm powerhouses, have journeyed here from across the infinite dominions, yet none of us can reach the third realm on our own.”
“To attain the third realm, we must stumble upon a grand opportunity.”
“Seize the opportunity before us, no matter the cost!”
With clear vision, these half-step third-realm powerhouses observed the palace complex in the distance, which had ceased rising and now stood stable. The pulsating aura that emanated from it had settled and consolidated, considerably diminishing the pressure.
“Hurry!”
“Let us make haste!”
Countless half-step third-realm powerhouses rushed forward, while Xu Jingming covered the distance in a single stride, his speed astounding. In just a few steps, he arrived near the palace complex.
Dozens of half-step third-realm powerhouses had already gathered near the palace complex, having been the first to reach due to their proximity.
Incredible. Xu Jingming marveled at the sight before him—the courtyard walls of the palace complex loomed tall, their nature seemingly ethereal and indistinct. A subtle aura enveloped the entire complex.
The aura pervading the palace complex formed a harmonious whole. Though restrained and stable, its presence evoked reverence upon closer inspection.
I’ve encountered third-realm beings before, but their auras were not as formidable as the pressure emanating from this palace, Xu Jingming pondered. I’ve come across numerous wonders, varying in value and magical properties. However, when compared to the palace complex before me… they pale in comparison, countless times inferior.
An aura stronger than that of a third-realm existence, surpassing even the might of many high-dimensional celestial bodies.
Perhaps only the Primordial Star, the Abyss, and a handful of other entities could surpass this palace complex.
“Charge!” A half-step third-realm powerhouse, composed of fiery flames, led the way towards the main entrance of the palace complex’s courtyard wall.
Although the main entrance stood open, Xu Jingming and the others refrained from hasty advances, opting instead to observe cautiously.
The fiery half-step third-realm powerhouse was the first to charge through the main entrance, yet as he entered, his form swiftly diminished.
Huh? What is happening here? The fiery half-step third-realm powerhouse staggered within the main entrance and stumbled back out in a daze. Upon exiting, his size returned to normal.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Within a span of ten seconds, numerous half-step third-realm powerhouses arrived, descending around the palace complex. Their eyes gleamed with excitement as they observed intently.
“Is that City Lord Feike? A highly astute individual; he is refraining from taking rash actions.”
“Look, it’s General Meteor Nine, the supreme leader of the Nightdream Army!”
These half-step third-realm powerhouses were also keenly observing.
Deep within the mountains, those capable of swift arrival were invincible half-step third-realm powerhouses and Abyss Sovereigns—subordinates of the 35 third-realm powerhouses, each an extraordinary individual.
Those who had gained recognition during this period possessed impressive abilities.
City Lord Feike, an invincible third-realm powerhouse, possessed countless abilities and was renowned for his exceptional skills in the Spacetime Arena. Many third-realm powerhouses sought his participation, and his reputation spanned across multiple spacetimes.
General Meteor Nine, the undisputed leader of the Nightdream Army, had accumulated vast knowledge and was considered the individual with the highest potential to reach the third realm within the army.
Wu Ming, a formidable powerhouse from Feather Fire City, was rumored to have been born only 300,000 years ago, yet his strength was already unfathomable. In terms of individual prowess, he was likely the strongest half-step third-realm powerhouse in the Ultimate Land.
He’s Wu Ming? A robust figure made of black metal cast a glance at Xu Jingming. The unrivaled prodigy from Feather Fire City? I heard he hadn’t attained the invincible half-step third realm when he arrived in the Ultimate Land. But now, he can defeat an invincible half-step third-realm powerhouse in just a couple of moves? The infinite dominion truly harbors numerous formidable beings. Such a monstrous existence exists, indeed.
Wu Ming?
City Lord Feike also observed Xu Jingming. By analyzing karma, the timeline, and traces in the void, he collected multifaceted information about Xu Jingming. I’ve participated in seven competitions in the Spacetime Arena and encountered many exceptional individuals from various spacetimes. Yet, I’ve never come across anyone as extraordinary as him. His strength appears to have transcended into a higher dimension.
Xu Jingming paid no attention to the other powerhouses since he already considered himself the strongest. His primary concern lay with the palace complex before him.
Over ten half-step third-realm powerhouses had already rushed toward the main entrance of the palace. Some attempted to scale the walls but were met with failure.
Xu Jingming observed the scene, noting that those who managed to climb over the wall had disintegrated into nothingness. As for those who entered through the main door… they stumbled out in a dazed state.
This is a maze, a maze formed by those mysterious characters. Upon entering, individuals became trapped within the maze, unable to find their bearings, and inadvertently walked back out.
The half-step third-realm powerhouses who failed did not conceal their experiences, as they all shared a similar fate.
So, the character maze tests individuals based on these characters, Xu Jingming pondered, promptly splitting out a clone and soaring toward the main entrance of the palace complex.
“Wu Ming is approaching.”
“He’s making a move.”
“This behemoth has surpassed the limits of the invincible half-step third realm. His strength reigns supreme in the Ultimate Land! With his might, he might be able to break through!” Thousands of gathered powerhouses observed the situation.
“The palace complex left behind by an Ultimate being isn’t something you can enter solely by virtue of strength. In my opinion, he won’t be able to enter either.”
The half-step third-realm powerhouses discussed among themselves, hoping to glean insights from Xu Jingming’s experience.
As Xu Jingming flew closer to the main entrance, he noticed it expanding in size. It grew a hundredfold, then ten thousandfold, until it reached an unimaginable scale, like a billion times its original size.
He felt like a minuscule pebble that had plunged into a unique spacetime.
When the main entrance of the palace complex expanded infinitely, Xu Jingming finally beheld countless characters suspended within this peculiar spacetime.
I’ve gathered a mere 120,000 characters thus far, but with a single glance, I can see at least ten million characters adrift in this space. Xu Jingming observed as the countless characters swirled around, transforming the world before him into a realm of symbols.
Is this the character maze?
Carefully scrutinizing the characters, Xu Jingming attempted to navigate forward.
Time trickled by, and one after another, half-step third-realm powerhouses took flight to test their luck. Yet, each of them stumbled into the character maze and emerged disoriented.
Undeterred, Xu Jingming pressed on within the character maze.
The maze adheres to certain patterns. After observing for a mere fifteen minutes, Xu Jingming deciphered the intricate design of the character maze. Following the pattern, he felt the characters ahead of him flow swiftly.
And half a minute later, the torrent of characters vanished entirely.
Xu Jingming found himself in a vast garden, having flown beyond the confines of the character maze. Glancing back, he beheld the seemingly ordinary main entrance of the palace, along with the bewildered half-step third-realm powerhouses left outside.
Witnessing Xu Jingming successfully pass through the main entrance and enter the palace complex, those half-step third-realm powerhouses were overcome with shock and envy.
He succeeded, while I failed in my attempt. General Meteor Nine watched from a distance, a tinge of anxiety clouding his thoughts. Being even slightly tardy might result in the opportunities bestowed by the Ultimate existence being snatched away.
Whoosh.
General Meteor Nine darted towards the main entrance once more.
“Hurry, hurry.”
“Give it a try quickly!”
Inspired by Xu Jingming’s triumph, numerous observing half-step third-realm powerhouses rushed toward the main door.
“Brother Wu Ming, can you share the secret of gaining entry?” one of the half-step third-realm powerhouses shouted aloud. He knew the chances of Xu Jingming disclosing the secret were slim, yet he had to make the attempt when it concerned an opportunity left behind by an Ultimate existence.
Unperturbed, Xu Jingming paid no heed to those outside.
Having received the silver parchment from Lord Louye and dedicating more than 300,000 years to studying its spear techniques, I laid a foundation in advance, propelling me one step ahead. Xu Jingming stood within the vast garden of the palace complex. Since I have taken the lead, I must seize this opportunity!
Whoosh.
At that very moment, Xu Jingming’s clone outside the palace ventured through the main entrance once again.
Search for opportunities.
Instantly, Xu Jingming divided into multiple clones, scattering over 500 versions of himself to explore the various areas of the palace complex.
…
Beyond the borders of the Ultimate Land, the 35 towering existences had been diligently following the threads of destiny and delving into the timelines of half-step third-realm powerhouses, seeking insight into their experiences and observing the realm.
At this moment, all their attention was fixated on Xu Jingming, scrutinizing his timeline and monitoring his every move.
Naturally, they could perceive what Xu Jingming saw through the lens of time.
“Huh?”
“What’s happening?”
These third-realm beings were taken aback.
“Everything within this palace complex is hazy; I can discern nothing.”
“I cannot perceive a thing.”
“Why can’t we catch a glimpse of Xu Jingming despite our unwavering focus?”
The 35 third-realm powerhouses were vexed. They, too, yearned to uncover the secrets concealed within the palace complex!
The strongest Master of Antinight shook his head and uttered, “Each of us possesses the means to evade scrutiny and shield ourselves from spacetime! If the Ultimate existence is unwilling to reveal it to us, no matter our efforts, it shall remain veiled.”
Lord Louye nodded in agreement. “Clearly, this presents an opportunity reserved for half-step third-realm powerhouses! We may still observe the periphery, but the true essence lies within the palace. We are forbidden from prying.”
“This Wu Ming displays remarkable talent. He was the first to condense the divine rune and venture into the palace. Perhaps the treasures left behind by the Ultimate existence shall fall into his hands.”
“That remains uncertain! All possibilities persist until the end.”
“Behold, another half-step third-realm powerhouse has entered.”
“There are numerous gifted individuals. Feike has also made his way in; three in total!”
The 35 third-realm beings observed intently. Unable to seize the opportunities themselves, they could only exercise patience and witness who, in the end, would claim the coveted rewards.