Chapter 233: 224. The Door Opened

224. The Door Opened

One night passed quickly.

By the next day, before noon, the participants in the cross-dimensional mission had already gathered in the conference room; through mutual conversations, Li Yi learned their names and identities.

Xu Qiu Mei, a member of the Cross-Dimensional Organization, was reportedly recommended by the Golden Academy.

Qin Bing and Li Yi were both external operations officers of the Investigation Bureau, having earned their cross-dimensional slots through outstanding achievements; however, they belonged to different cities—Li Yi was from Tianchang City Investigation Bureau, while the other was from Tianshan City Investigation Bureau.

Another woman, named Zhang Jing, had no known background, but it was said she spent a great deal of money to buy her cross-dimensional slot.

This surprised Li Yi—he had never known cross-dimensional slots could be purchased. It seemed capitalists existed everywhere. Yet he wondered: if slots could be bought, why join the first wave? The first cross-dimensional explorers faced the greatest risks.

The second and third waves were safer, as they had the information and insights from the pioneers, giving them greater confidence about the new world.

The final man, Tao Sheng, had classified information, but his serious, disciplined demeanor made it obvious—he was unquestionably a top-tier military expert.

Five individuals, plus team leader Zhang Xun, made six.

These were all the personnel for this cross-dimensional operation.

As Li Yi observed the others, they were observing him in return.

"Compared to yesterday, Li Yi's aura seems even stronger—and more dangerous. What a freak. In just one night, his progress is already palpable. Last night, Xu Qiu Mei approached me, asking me to team up and eliminate him. Now I'm glad I refused." Qin Bing glanced at Li Yi briefly, his heart sinking.

He had checked Li Yi's records last night—shocking. This man had advanced so rapidly; in only a few months of cultivation, he had killed a Spirit Perception expert.

Xu Qiu Mei's face remained gloomy. She was in a foul mood—she had failed to find an ally, meaning her cross-dimensional mission would be fraught with difficulty.

Now she regretted it.

If she hadn't confronted Li Yi earlier, there might still have been room to ease tensions. But now—even sitting here—she could feel his hostility, sharp as thorns against her back. No, more accurately—it was murderous intent.

How many people had this man killed? His killing aura was so heavy.

In truth, Xu Qiu Mei wasn't from Tianchang City's cultivation circle; otherwise, she'd know just how dangerous Li Yi was. Even Gu Mengping, who had broken through to the Primordial Spirit realm, dared not show his face when competing for the slot—he only pressured the Investigation Bureau, all to avoid Li Yi's terrifying mother.

After waiting two hours, just before noon, team leader Zhang Xun entered the conference room. He said directly: "The cross-dimensional transition begins soon. Gather your gear and follow me. Remember—no phones, computers, or any devices storing critical information. They'll be confiscated."

Everyone knew this—it was written in the cross-dimensional handbook.

The purpose was to prevent Earth's information from leaking to other worlds. If you can cross over, so can they. To avoid drawing enemies to Earth, no vital data could be exposed.

"Alright, follow me," Zhang Xun said, then left the room.

Everyone fell silent and followed immediately.

Zhang Xun led them into an elevator, descending deep underground—at least six or seven levels. When the doors opened, a searing heat rushed toward them; merely breathing felt like burning their nasal passages, an unbearable sensation.

In their spiritual senses, the scene ahead glowed crimson, as if they had entered a colossal oven.

"Such terrifying cosmic energy—it's already dense enough to affect reality. But this burning sensation isn't real; it's because the energy is so intense, it's destroying and eroding our cells. That's why we feel the heat." Qin Bing's eyes narrowed in shock.

"Under this energy field, even a Spirit Perception cultivator can't stay long. Otherwise, they'll suffer severe radiation-like damage—cells will break down and die," said the woman, Zhang Jing, calmly.

"Is this the energy field of a top-tier artifact? It's terrifying—it's visible to the naked eye," Li Yi said, his expression stunned.

Compared to this, the energy field of the coin was negligible. Even the white bone murals paled in comparison. No wonder a top-tier artifact had to be recovered—even at great cost, including war. If left unattended, merely existing in one place would be a catastrophe.

"Cross-dimensional travel requires immense energy to warp spacetime and open a wormhole gate. Only a complete artifact can power the machine," Zhang Xun explained calmly. "The artifact here is called the Phoenix Feather—a feather from the mythical phoenix."

He pointed.

In a glass enclosure on a nearby machine, a peculiar feather floated silently—not an ordinary animal feather, but a shape formed entirely of pure energy, radiating brilliant, dazzling light like a miniature artificial sun, enduring without fading.

The crimson energy field that had burned them moments ago was merely the glow emitted by that single feather.

The sheer energy contained within it was incalculable. The creature that bore such feathers must be unimaginably terrifying.

Li Yi could easily imagine a phoenix, its plumage blazing with brilliance, appearing over a city. A single wingbeat would unleash an energy storm capable of reducing the city to ash—no life could withstand such purification.

And this destruction wasn't even intentional—just the act of flapping its wings caused such devastation, like a human stepping on the ground and crushing ants beneath.

This was a difference in life's hierarchy—not merely a gap, but a chasm.

Realizing this, Li Yi fell silent. He now understood why so many rushed to cross over.

Earth was too dangerous.

Lower-level cultivators didn't know these truths, so they remained ignorant and fearless. But upper-level cultivators knew perfectly well—otherwise, the cross-dimensional plan would never have been launched to seek new habitats.

Li Yi was glad he came. He had seen a glimpse of the world's true face and gained a clear understanding of his own insignificance.

"The cross-dimensional gate will open in ten minutes. Before then, each of you will receive a bag containing essential equipment and an instruction manual. Don't read it now—study it after you cross," Zhang Xun added.

At that moment, staff in heavy protective suits approached, handing each person a briefcase.

Everyone took theirs without opening it, holding it in hand, then waited in silence.

In these minutes, everyone was being scorched by the terrifying energy radiating from the artifact—the Phoenix Feather. No wonder the staff here, though cultivators, wore protective suits. Brief exposure was tolerable, but prolonged exposure would destroy their bodies.

Yet Zhang Xun, as team leader, stood motionless, unaffected.

Clearly, his body had evolved to withstand this level of energy erosion—he was a Primordial Spirit expert, after all, and his advantages were obvious.

Li Yi felt no discomfort either—he wore clothing made of Qiu Long hide, offering some protection. He felt little pain, only a burning sensation in his eyes, as if they might go blind.

Fortunately, ten minutes wasn't long.

"Time's up. All systems ready. Activate the machine."

"Machine activated. Absorbing cosmic energy…"

"Energy charging: one percent, five percent, twelve percent…"

As the machine operated, the cosmic energy around the artifact was rapidly absorbed. The searing heat vanished swiftly, replaced by a cool sensation.

All this dissipated energy converged in one place, attempting to open the cross-dimensional gate.

"Fifty percent. Eighty percent. One hundred percent. Energy fully charged."

"Open wormhole. Confirm coordinates. Preparing to connect to Unknown World Designation 36."

As the announcements echoed.

The next moment, a terrifying energy surge erupted before Li Yi and the others. The space before them tore open like cloth, forming a massive rift that widened, twisted, and finally solidified into a circular gate.

As time passed, the other side of the gate faintly revealed the landscape and contours of another world.

Though indistinct, one could discern distant mountains, nearby rivers, and lush greenery—clearly a habitable world, not a dead wasteland.

But the information revealed was minimal—strong energy interference prevented any machines from probing. The only way to explore was for cultivators to enter and investigate firsthand.

"Connection complete. Cross-dimensional gate opened. Team Zhang Xun, prepare to depart. Gate will remain open for only thirty seconds. Move quickly."

The broadcast continued.

Opening the gate consumed enormous energy. Even the mythical Phoenix Feather could only sustain it for thirty seconds. Beyond that, the artifact would be drained, damaged, and rendered useless. To preserve it for multiple uses, each gate opening was brief and limited in frequency.

Of course, if multiple complete artifacts supplied energy, the gate could remain open longer.

"Move," Zhang Xun said without hesitation, his body flickering forward at high speed as he dashed into the gate.

The others followed instantly.

Their speed was equally swift. For Spirit Perception cultivators, crossing didn't require thirty seconds—ten was more than enough.

Quickly.

All of them vanished from their original location, leaving this world behind, entering the gate, heading toward an unknown and alien world.

"Cross-dimensional team has fully departed. Immediately cut energy supply. Close the gate. Prevent counter-invasion."

The broadcast rang out. As the machine shut down, the gate connecting to the other world twisted and vanished.

The Phoenix Feather now dimmed significantly. Its energy field softened, no longer searing—evidencing the massive energy loss from a single crossing. That's why each opportunity to cross was so precious.

Fortunately, this cross-dimensional operation went smoothly—no incidents occurred.

At least, on this side.