Chapter 1034: The Towering Figure, The Terrifying Deterrent
Editor: Henyee Translations

Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan stood on the platform of the white pillar, like a celestial couple, steadfastly commanding the battlefield from their vantage point.

In the void, the massive stars of black and white moved under Jiang Chengxuan’s guidance, engaging in an unseen, fierce battle as they shifted towards their targets.

Time had lost meaning; Jiang Chengxuan’s mind had cycled through a million times of Heavenly Calculation Technique.

As he traversed the deadly black sea again and again, a sense of fatigue began to set in. Only his unwavering will and meticulous execution of each movement kept him going.

The situation on the chessboard had reached its final stages. The black and white dragons engaged in relentless battle, neither side yielding an inch.

The stars, imbued with the rules of life and death, collided within the chessboard, their forces peaking and causing massive waves and upheavals reminiscent of mountain collapses.

With a forceful palm strike, Jiang Chengxuan propelled a white star forward, crashing it against a black star.

This move, perilous yet perfect, had been premeditated by Jiang Chengxuan long before it was executed.

Now, as the piece was placed, it signaled the onset of a fierce battle. Numerous black and white pieces collided brutally on the board, devouring and converting each other.

After several rounds of intense strategy, Jiang Chengxuan’s white pieces finally dominated the board, transforming lines of black stars into white.

The enemy’s great dragon was decisively severed; stars collapsed and burst forth with radiant light, transforming the dark sea into a pristine white.

As the rules of death receded like a tide, this trial concluded with Jiang Chengxuan’s victory.

The white pillar roared as it shifted, and once more, a winding path slowly emerged before them.

Excitement sparkled in Jiang Chengxuan’s weary eyes. Behind him, the members of the Haoran Sect flew towards him, their faces etched with shock and admiration.

This game of chess, danced upon the sword’s edge and played against immortal beings, had drained him immensely.

However, the gains from this experience were substantial, and he believed that the end of the winding path was now within close reach.

After some rest and recovery, Jiang Chengxuan and the group resumed their journey. This time, as they crossed the white sea of life, they encountered no further dangers.

The tranquility of the white sea brought peace to their minds. Having faced numerous trials and dangers, everyone had grown significantly, and the sea of life offered endless benefits to cultivators.

After a long walk on the serene white surface, they finally reached the end of the sea. There, the path continued, but with one new addition—a simple stone door.

The appearance of the door momentarily bewildered everyone, but soon, joy flooded their hearts. They knew they had found the opportunity they sought—the secrets of the ancient immortal cave abode lay beyond this door, waiting for the destined ones.

Jiang Chengxuan approached the stone door and noticed small stone statues on either side. Each statue, only as tall as his knee, resembled an ordinary stone lion, extremely simplistic.

One lion looked solemn and imposing, radiating an aura of inviolability and a profound sense of dread. The other seemed poised to leap away, suggesting a sense of liberation.

The group intuitively understood the implication of these statues. This was the final gateway of the immortal cave abode.

Having reached this point, the cave acknowledged their worthiness, but one last, most dangerous trial remained within.

The two stone lions represented the choices given to them—if they wished to leave safely, they would touch the leaping lion. If they decided to seek further opportunities, they would touch the menacing lion.

Moreover, these statues responded only to those who bore the rules of life and death, namely Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan. Qin Shenwu and the others turned their gaze to them, awaiting their decision.

After a moment of contemplation and a mutual glance, they made their choice.

“Shifu, Senior Sister Xie, Senior Brother Zhao, we’ve decided to push forward,” Jiang Chengxuan announced resolutely.

“Be careful, Junior Brother Jiang, Junior Sister Shen!”

“Go ahead, Chengxuan. You are our sect leader. Just go ahead with all your might,” encouraged Qin Shenwu and the others, fully understanding and supportive.

Jiang Chengxuan nodded slightly, then he and Shen Ruyan placed their hands on the menacing stone lion.

Instantly, a powerful, mysterious force surged, enveloping them in a blink. In the next moment, they found themselves transported to another realm.

Before them lay a vast expanse of desolate crimson land, thick with a potent atmosphere unmatched in intensity. They prepared for a long time, but no disturbances occurred.

Just as they grew puzzled, a towering figure slowly emerged at the far end of the landscape. Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan’s expressions grew serious as the figure turned around, instantly imposing a formidable presence that threatened to overwhelm them.

A profound and indescribable aura burst forth, swiftly filling the world around them.

It was an amalgam of destruction, solemnity, ruthlessness, and despair. These intense sentiments quickly took hold of Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan’s minds.

The figure radiated an immensely terrifying power, manifesting worlds in the void as if it were the center of the universe itself. Scenes of worlds collapsing and being destroyed dominated their vision, under the oppressive force of this figure.

Jiang Chengxuan and Shen Ruyan found themselves immobilized, barely able to move as the sensation of impending death loomed closer than ever.

Sweat began to bead on Jiang Chengxuan’s forehead as a profound fear took root in his heart.

This figure undoubtedly represented an immortal in full glory, a being so powerful that Jiang Chengxuan felt insignificant as a mayfly under a great tree.

A mere flick from this immortal could obliterate his millennia of cultivation, such was the dread inspired by the immortal’s might.