Chapter 290

Leaving the ice plain, the chill between heaven and earth swiftly faded, replaced by a gradually intensifying, dry aura. In the southern sky, faint crimson clouds rose, as if the heavens were burning.

Wang Ping and Leizhen traveled south all the way, then found a concealed spot to rest for several days before recovering about seventy percent of the losses from the ice plain battle and the obstruction by the underworld god.

The greatly depleted innate sword qi of Wang Ping also gradually regained its spirituality under medicinal pills and rest, but it is indeed inadvisable to lightly use it in the short term.

As they continued south, the stellar pattern on the token bestowed by the Azure Feather Great Adept grew ever clearer and stronger, and the sense of void runes became more distinct. Along the way, the cultivators they encountered noticeably increased, all sharing the same goal: heading toward the vast, faintly visible shadow that connects heaven and earth in the south.

Seven days later, at the edge of an endless, crimson‑stained desert spanning a thousand li, Wang Ping and Leizhen halted their steps and gazed in shock at the distance.

At the horizon's end stood a mountain whose magnificence and divinity defy words, shooting up from the ground and piercing the clouds!

The mountain presented a uniform gray‑brown hue of unformed chaos; its substance was not ordinary stone but seemed condensed from the most primal chaotic currents and countless heterogeneous yet powerful fragments of law, its surface flowing with seven‑colored law‑light that at times flashed like thunder, at times surged like flames, at times rippled like water with stones and metal floating and clanging… the five phases turning, wind and thunder surging, light and darkness arising and fading, as if it encompassed the manifestations of every great dao law between heaven and earth!

The mountain's size defied estimation; even just its base stretched beyond sight, like an ancient wall dividing heaven and earth. Its slopes were sheer and almost vertical, extending upward until they vanished into the higher, more chaotic mass of primal energy where heaven and earth were still undifferentiated, with no peak visible.

A vast, ancient, awe‑inspiring pressure, as if originating from the moment heaven and earth were split, clearly transmitted despite the distance, filling hearts with reverence and souls with trembling. This is——Heaven Pillar Mountain! Legend says it upholds the secret realm's heaven and earth and is the ultimate location of the Myriad Laws Pool's final entrance!

Yet at this moment, the boundless expanse of Heaven Pillar Mountain's foothills was no longer empty.

Forces and top prodigies from every corner of the secret realm, bearing keys or confident in their strength to contend for the final prize, had streamed in like rivers to the sea and now gathered here!

Wang Ping and Leizhen concealed their auras and quietly approached the base. The nearer they came, the more they sensed the tremendous momentum of converging winds and clouds, dragons and snakes rising, and a killing aura.

Beneath the foothills the terrain was complex, with exposed chaotic strata, dried riverbeds, sparse yet strange ancient groves, and scattered stone platforms and altar remnants that seemed naturally formed. Now these places were each occupied by powerful auras, far apart and distinct, forming patches of temporary "territories".

Wang Ping's gaze swept over, his heart tightening.

He first saw the figures of the Void Clan. They did not occupy obvious platforms but, like they were blending into the environment, gathered in a region where light and shadow twisted and space faintly rippled—only six or seven of them, yet each bore an elusive, hard‑to‑gauge aura.

Their leader was a slender figure cloaked in a deep‑gray robe that seemed to swallow light, face blurred, only a pair of eyes as deep and cold as the void visible.

In his hand he toyed with a glazed‑gold key——the Metal Key!

Exactly "Yinying," who had successfully seized the treasure from the Ancient Sword Tomb! At this moment he seemed to sense Wang Ping's gaze, slightly turned his head, and glanced toward Wang Ping's direction; despite the robe and distance, Wang Ping still felt an icy, indifferent scrutiny.

Not far away, in an ancient wood drenched in rich vital energy, several figures stood. They wore primitive vine armor or robes woven of green leaves, their bodies entwined with vivid, dripping spiritual light, merging with nature.

Their leader, whose aura was as steady as a mountain yet brimming with life, held a key that was vividly green, as if freshly plucked tender leaf——the Wood Key!

These were the prodigies of the Ancient God Clan! Rumor says the Ancient God Clan are descendants of primordial divine trees, innately attuned to wood and life laws, their power unfathomable. Yet they had silently obtained the Wood Key.

Wang Ping and Leizhen exchanged a glance; the Water Key was in their hands, so the Metal, Wood, and Water Keys now each had an owner. Then only the Fire Key……

His gaze turned to the other side of the foothills, where a scorching crimson lava pool lay. There, heat waves rolled and the air warped. Several figures stood on the black rocks beside the pool, their auras wild and blazing. Their leader was none other than the Holy Son of the Five Elements Clan—Yanjin!

Five‑colored flames flowed around him, especially the blazing red, most dazzling; though he held no key, his bearing was lofty and his piercing gaze swept over those who possessed keys, his intent obvious.

Beside him stood several mighty experts of the Five Elements Clan, as well as some fire‑system geniuses seemingly affiliated with them.

Besides these three factions clearly tied to the keys, all other top figures had also arrived.

Cangxuan of the Heaven Azure Clan sat alone in meditation atop a towering chaotic boulder, silver hair falling, eyes closed, nurturing his spirit; though he seemed aloof from the surrounding strife, his lofty, detached, all‑controlling aura was impossible to ignore.

The Holy Maiden Yuliuli of the Fallen Immortal Clan trod upon five‑colored immortal clouds, hovering in a pure region of midair, her immortal light hazy as she watched silently.

Mingshang of the Evil Darkness Clan remained concealed within a rolling mass of shadow that clung to a grim ancient altar remnant, deathly aura thick.

The combined forces of the Giant Spirit Clan and the Witch Clan occupied a rocky area; the Giant Spirit Clan youth polished a huge bronze battle‑axe, while the Witch Priest leaned on a wooden staff, murmuring incantations.

The Monster Clan's camp was even more imposing, with the descendants of the Azure Dragon, Heavenly Phoenix, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise each leading their followers to occupy a sector; monster qi shot to the heavens, alliances and rivalries coexisting. The Azure Dragon prodigy and the woman of Heavenly Phoenix bloodline were especially striking in aura.

On the Human Clan side, besides Wang Ping and Leizhen, Li Dao Yi of the First Dao Institute, Zhan Wuji of the Second Dao Institute, and Xuan Xing of the Third Dao Institute had also arrived, each bringing some fellow disciples or temporary allies to seize advantageous positions.

Li Dao Yi continued studying his Starlight Chessboard; Zhan Wuji bore his giant axe, eyes flashing as he scanned the strong ones, battle spirit blazing. Xuan Xing gave Wang Ping a slight nod.

Moreover, many other clan prodigies and lone strong ones, known or unknown to Wang Ping, were scattered about—some meditating, some vigilantly observing, some whispering counsel.

Across the foothills of Heaven Pillar Mountain, the gathered top Golden Core cultivators likely exceeded two hundred! Moreover, nearly all were the finest individuals of this generation from every spirit‑realm clan.

The air was thick with an oppressive silence. Nobody spoke lightly or acted rashly. Everyone knew the three Law Keys had already appeared and were respectively held (Metal, Wood, Water), while the Fire Key had not yet surfaced—or perhaps had not been publicly possessed. But no matter what, to open the Myriad Laws Pool the three keys must unite atop Heaven Pillar.

This present calm was merely the illusion before the storm.

Should anyone attempt to bear a key up the mountain, or the Fire Key manifest, the balance would shatter instantly and a cataclysmic melee would erupt at once!

Wang Ping could feel many covert glances sweeping over him and Leizhen, especially lingering on his waist pouch.

Even with sealing restrictions, the aura of the Water Key could not be fully concealed amidst the gathering of so many powerhouses whose energies intertwined; he and Leizhen had thus become one of the targets of universal envy.

"Damn, this scene… is even more extravagant than the Ancient Sword Tomb!" Leizhen licked his lips, eyes burning with excitement, "Now that's exciting! Brother Wang, we're the hot ticket now."

Wang Ping nodded, his expression calm. He had long anticipated this situation. He silently messaged Leizhen: "Brother Leizhen, stay calm and do not act rashly. Since the Fire Key is still unclear, whoever moves first now may become the target of all. Let us first observe, recover to peak condition; the path up the mountain will likely not be peaceful."

He found a relatively secluded spot with his back to a massive chaotic rock, where he and Leizhen settled, laid down a simple warning ward, began silent breath regulation, and heightened his perception to the utmost, noting any minute change in the field.

Time trickled by; the primordial pressure emanating from Heaven Pillar Mountain remained unchanged through the ages, while the atmosphere at its base grew ever heavier, like a drawn bowstring.

Suddenly, near the lava pool, Yanjin's eyes snapped open, torch‑like, shooting toward a certain spot on Heaven Pillar Mountain's body!

Almost simultaneously, Cangxuan, Yuliuli, Mingshang, the Void Clan's Yinying, the Ancient God Clan chief, and other top figures also sensed it, turning their gazes to the same direction!

Only saw on the gray‑brown chaotic cliff of Heaven Pillar Mountain, at roughly a thousand zhang high, a region suddenly turn crimson! Immediately after, a gold‑red flame pillar, like molten lava spewing from the earth's core, exploded from the cliff and shot up to the heavens! Within the pillar, a wholly crimson key, as if forged from flowing lava and fire essence, its surface etched with countless fire runes, hovered and condensed in the blaze!

The Fire Key! It actually manifested directly on the body of Heaven Pillar Mountain!

This was like a spark falling into hot oil—instantly igniting the entire scene!

"Fire Key!"

"It's mine!"

"Attack!"

Fierce shouts and violent aura shot to the sky! The nearest Yanjin moved first, his five‑colored flames forming a divine swift fire phoenix that bore him straight toward the pillar! His fellow Five Elements Clan adepts and other fire‑system geniuses likewise rose into the air, escorting him and clearing the way.

"Hmph! The Five Elements Clan wants to monopolize? Ask me first!" Zhan Wuji roared, his blood‑colored giant axe cleaving a heaven‑shaking axe‑light, not aimed at the key but slicing Yanjin's path forward!

"Who says the Fire Key belongs to you to decide?" Cangxuan's cold voice rang out; a silver giant hand reappeared, directly grabbing for the key within the pillar!

"Such pure fire-attribute origin is just what nourishes my death qi!" Mingxian gave a sharp laugh, his shadow turned into a sky-covering curtain, sweeping toward the fire pillar.

The Holy Maiden of the Fallen Immortal Tribe, Yu Liuli, raised her bare hand lightly; the immortal spirit silk, though cast after, arrived first.

The leader of the Ancient God Tribe frowned slightly; wood produces fire, and the fire key also holds attraction for them, but he seemed more cautious, not unleashing his full strength right away, instead directing his tribesmen to form a formation and seize an advantageous position.

The Void Tribe's shade shifted his form, as if trying to merge with space, directly performing his specialty, "stealing".

On the demon tribe's side, the Azure Dragon let out a long chant, the Phoenix cried across the nine heavens, several top-tier bloodlines stirred simultaneously, demon clouds billowed, and they surged toward the fire pillar!

Other factions and lone strongers, like sharks smelling blood, various escape lights, treasures, and divine abilities surged toward that area like a downpour!

The melee erupted completely and without doubt the moment the Fire Key appeared; moreover, it was fiercer and more chaotic than the Ancient Sword Tomb, because everyone knew this was the last key—missing this chance meant no further entry into the Myriad Laws Pool!

Wang Ping and Leizhen remained still, calmly observing the battlefield. The intensity of the fight for the Fire Key exceeded imagination; rushing in now would not only risk being focused fire, but also expose their possession of the Water Key, making them targets for other Metal- and Wood-Key holders, or for top experts who have yet to seize a key.

"Let them fight first," Wang Ping said in a deep voice. "The key won't be taken easily. Heaven Pillar Mountain has its own rules."

Sure enough, the fire pillar seemed protected; under countless attacks it trembled but did not collapse immediately, the Fire Key floating within it, drawing forth a greater fire-element power from the mountain. Meanwhile, the sides locked in mutual restraint and attack quickly fell into even greater chaos, with people continually suffering heavy injuries and falling, even dying on the spot.

Just as the battle for the Fire Key reached white-hot intensity, several top figures were about to break through layers of obstruction and touch the key——

Hum!

The Heaven Pillar Mountain's body, around the fire pillar, suddenly blazed with three huge light pillars of gold, green, and blue! These light pillars did not emit from within the mountain; rather, as if sensing something, they appeared out of thin air on the mountain's surface, resonating strongly with the law fluctuations emanating from Wang Ping, Xu Zu Youying, and the Ancient God Clan Leader.

At the same moment, a majestic, ancient, irresistible will, like an awakening giant god, rumbled down upon the entire base of Heaven Pillar Mountain.

"Three keys have arrived, the Fire Key shall reveal itself. Key-bearers, ascend Heaven Pillar! Non‑key‑bearers, blockers, die without mercy!"

The grand, majestic voice rang directly in the depths of everyone's souls, carrying supreme lawful authority!

Immediately, the fire pillar contracted, the Fire Key turning into a crimson streak of light; it did not fly toward any contender but, with a soft 'whoosh', shot straight toward…… the Holy Maiden Yuliuli of the Fallen Immortal Clan, who had been watching from the outskirts without fully joining the central struggle!

Yuliuli seemed to blink slightly, but reacted instantly—she swept up immortal light and snatched the crimson key into her hand! On her, the originally pure and ethereal immortal aura blended strangely with the Fire Key's fierce energy, without conflict.

This development left all the contenders dumbfounded!

The Fire Key actually chose its master on its own? It selected Yuliuli, who hadn't even gone all‑out for it?

But the will descending from Heaven Pillar Mountain had already made it clear: metal, wood, water, fire—all four keys have masters! The bearers are: Xu Zu Youying (metal), Ancient God Clan (wood), Wang Ping (water), and Fallen Immortal Clan's Yuliuli (fire).

"No! This is impossible!" Yan Jin's eyes nearly burst; for the Fire Key, the Five Elements Clan had paid a heavy price, only to have Yuliuli 'pick up a bargain'? How could he accept that!

However, before he and the other unwilling could act, Heaven Pillar Mountain's majestic will descended again, a more terrifying pressure weighing down, as if a destructive punishment would fall any moment.

"Key‑bearers, climb the mountain at once! Those who reach the summit may enter the Myriad Laws Pool! Obstructors will be seen as challenging Heaven Pillar's will and will be annihilated, body and soul!"

The sound rumbled, bearing an irresistible heavenly might!

The Void Clan's shade moved first, its deep-gray cloak flung aside, turning into a phantom that shot toward the path indicated by the golden light pillar among the three light pillars on the cliff wall corresponding to the key colors. That path was not a straight up-and-down cliff face, but a winding upward way, seemingly naturally formed, emitting a faint golden glow—the Heavenly Ladder.

The leader of the Ancient God Clan pondered briefly, then led his people toward the Heavenly Ladder corresponding to the green light pillar.

Yu Liuli held the crimson key, her immortal light merging with the fire key's aura; she glanced toward Wang Ping's direction (with a hint of inquiry), then floated and flew toward the Heavenly Ladder corresponding to the red light pillar.

Everyone's gaze now focused on Wang Ping.

The holders of the gold, wood, and fire keys have already moved; only the water key holder remains—Wang Ping!

Wang Ping took a deep breath and exchanged a glance with Lei Zhen.

"Wang brother, it seems the mountain path can only be walked by the key holder himself." Lei Zhen grinned, slapped Wang Ping's shoulder hard, "Go up with confidence! Down here, these scum who want to scheme for your key, I'll block them for you! When you come out of the Myriad Laws Pool, let's have a good drink!"

A warm current welled up in Wang Ping's heart; he nodded heavily: "Lei brother, take care! See you at the summit!"

Having said that, he hesitated no more; his form flickered, turning into a streak of escape light, flying toward the starting point of the Heavenly Ladder indicated by the blue light pillar, under the gaze of countless eyes that were fiery, greedy, wary, or murderous.

The moment he stepped onto the first step of the Heavenly Ladder, the water-traversing key in his bosom warmed slightly, resonating with the ladder. A gentle yet tenacious water-traversing power enveloped him; at the same time, he felt that this Heavenly Ladder could be walked safely only by him—or rather, by the water key holder—while anyone who forcibly intruded would likely provoke unfathomable consequences.

He glanced back at the mountain base.

There, the melee had not ceased; instead, with the four keys' ownership settled and the key holders beginning their ascent, it grew even more frantic! Countless figures, like a tide, began to surge against the starting areas of the four Heavenly Ladders! Though they could not walk the ladders safely as the key holders could, they could intercept and attack the key holders at the ladders' bases—especially those supremely confident in their own strength or determined to seize the keys, such as Cangxuan, Yan Jin, Ming Shu, Zhan Wuji, and the top bloodlines of the demon race, who had already fixed their gazes upon the four Heavenly Ladders!

The true path to ascend heaven is also a path of bloodshed; it has only just begun now!

Wang Ping turned his body, his gaze firm, looking upward toward the mountain peak that disappeared into the chaotic clouds.

The Myriad Laws Pool lay near at hand; yet every step toward its edge must be paved with blood and fire.

He stepped forward, advancing along the blue water-traversing Heavenly Ladder; behind him rose Lei Zhen's violent thunderous roar, and the sudden outbreak of even more brutal slaughter at the starting points of the other ladders.

The Heavenly Pillar Mountain gathers, clouds and winds converge; the four keys are in place, the road to heaven opens.