Chapter 847: Opening the Life and Death Gate (10,000+ Words, Requesting Moon Tickets!)

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye; now Xiao Yan could sway the entire Dou Qi Continent with a single word.

During these half months, Xiao Yan did not train much; he stayed within the Xiao Realm, fulfilling his duties as a son, a husband, and a father, savoring the joy of family. The Xiao Clan today surely surpasses countless other families as a great clan—even Xiao Ning and others of Xiao Yan's generation have expanded their lineages.

The entire Xiao Realm had become much livelier since Xiao Yan's return.

Of course, the liveliest place of all was the Yun Lan Sect.

"Dead man Xiao Yan, leaving me alone at Yun Lan Sect!" In the Ancient Pavilion, Sect Master Nalan Yanran stomped her foot in fury, for as Sect Master, she bore full responsibility for the Life and Death Gate.

Even Yun Yun now dwelled within the Xiao Realm, enjoying harmony—only pitiful Nalan Yanran, laboring endlessly without a day off, was left to toil like a slave.

The inheritance left by a Dou Emperor was naturally coveted by all cultivators, from Nine Star Dou Sheng down to Dou Power Three Segments, for after all, Xiao Yan had become a Dou Emperor thanks to the Primitive Pill in the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion.

During these half months, Xiao Yan had issued an Imperial Edict to all, summoning every cultivator on the Dou Qi Continent to Yun Lan Sect in the Jia Ma Empire—any cultivator on the continent could enter the Life and Death Gate to claim the inheritance and resources Xiao Yan had left within.

Nalan Yanran, having lived for decades, had never before been so overwhelmed by sect affairs. With countless people flooding into Yunlan City, incidents were inevitable, forcing Yun Lan Sect disciples to busy themselves with maintaining public order and other matters.

Every day, some secretly infiltrated Yun Lan Sect, hoping to enter the Life and Death Gate first—even Dou Shengs were among them.

Yet none escaped—each was driven off in one sweep of Nalan Yanran's sword.

Boom—boom—boom! As day followed day, Yun Lan Sect and even the entire Yun Lan Mountain range began undergoing violent transformations.

Scorching Huo Tian Di Zhi suddenly burst forth from Space; cracks split open across Yun Lan Mountain's earth, spewing strange light, and streams of Heavenly Energy erupted like tidal waves.

Had Yun Lan Sect not been reinforced by Xiao Yan, the terrifying transformation of the Life and Death Gate would have already torn this realm apart.

"Could these be omens before the opening of the Life and Death Gate?" Seeing these phenomena emerge from Yun Lan Mountain, many cultivators arriving from afar trembled in fear—such power could shatter all things.

If the Life and Death Gate possessed such terrifying might, could they truly gain fortune within? Could they survive the inheritance? They might die inside!

"The power of a Dou Emperor is terrifying."

"Is this the strength of the continent's strongest? Interesting." Some hidden figures, disciples of other factions who had heard of the Life and Death Gate and entered Yun Lan Sect, smiled faintly.

On a certain day, suddenly, brilliant light blazed from Yun Lan Mountain, illuminating the Sky—even at night, one could see countless strands of celestial light hovering above Yun Lan Sect, shimmering in five hues and ten colors, magnificent beyond compare.

"The Life and Death Gate is about to open?!" Seeing this miracle, those who had long enrolled in Yun Lan Sect could not help but erupt in excitement.

At this moment, beyond Yun Lan Sect, countless eyes watched its changes; far away, deep eyes gazed upon Yun Lan Sect; even farther, in Zhong Zhou, equally terrifying eyes stared; and beyond that, in the unreachable Xu Kong Zhi Di, deep within the Manhuang Ancient Domain, unfathomable eyes also fixed upon Yun Lan Sect.

Wummm!!! Suddenly, a black-and-white flame shot from Space—a Yin-Yang Life and Death Gate, formed like two entwined fish, appeared at the Guang Chang where Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran had once fought under their Three-Year Agreement.

The entire Life and Death Gate was immense; from afar, it resembled the legendary South Heavenly Gate.

"It's the Life and Death Gate!!"

"The Life and Death Gate has opened!"

At that moment, Nalan Yanran, clad in the robes of Yun Lan Sect's Sect Master and wielding a divine sword at her waist, stood in Space. With a whoosh, she flung forth a Huo Tian Di Zhi from her hand.

The Sky above Yun Lan Sect ignited; then—BOOM! —a Huo Tian Di Zhi unfurled amid flames, burning Space and illuminating the entire Dou Qi Continent.

"The Life and Death Gate is opening! The inheritance and Secret Treasures within belong to all cultivators of the Dou Qi Continent—regardless of origin, background, or strength! The Life and Death Gate is open! Welcome, all cultivators, to enter!"

Xiao Yan's voice echoed from the Imperial Edict, wrapped in Soul Power, spreading to every corner of the Jia Ma Empire.

For a moment, the entire Jia Ma Empire fell silent—then erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Woo-hoo-hoo!! Long live Emperor Xiao Yan!"

"Emperor's Sacred Grace!"

"No matter what, Emperor Xiao Yan is my rebirth-giver."

"A great opportunity—I'm coming!"

Standing in the Sky, Nalan Yanran swept her sleeve and intoned sternly: "Open the Yun Lan Sect's Demonic Array! Disciples may enter the Life and Death Gate to undergo the Trial!"

Wummm-wummm-wummm! The Yun Yan Fu Ri Formation, which had shrouded the entire Yun Lan Mountain, slowly vanished, revealing a long mountain staircase.

Instantly, countless cultivators' eyes blazed with madness; like a human tide, each unleashed unique techniques, surging up the mountain from its base, racing to enter the Life and Death Gate for the Trial.

"Hahaha, I'll go first!" A Dou Wang unleashed his Dou Power wings, becoming a streak of light that flew past countless cultivators toward Yun Lan Sect.

"Hmph, mere Dou Wang." A Dou Huang instantly overtook him, charging straight for the Life and Death Gate.

Yet when this Dou Huang reached the peak of Yun Lan Mountain, several Dou Zong cultivators already stood on Space before the Life and Death Gate.

This Life and Death Gate admitted all, regardless of cultivation rank—the entire continent could enter.

As for Dou Zun and even Dou Sheng cultivators, they were wiser and more experienced; they did not rush in first, but waited for the greenhorns to test the waters.

Of course, the first to enter the Life and Death Gate were unquestionably Yun Lan Sect's disciples and Elders; when they stepped into this realm, they stood stunned for a long while at the sight before them.

Before them stretched an endless ruin, vast beyond measure, with no visible end—nothing but shattered walls, broken bricks, and shattered tiles.

Yet soon they recovered; the younger disciples of Yun Lan Sect were bursting with excitement, shouting and screaming.

In an instant, Yun Lan Sect disciples scattered in all directions—some headed south, others flew north, while others remained in the ruins, carefully searching for any Treasure.

Not long after, countless others flooded into the Life and Death Gate; cultivators from every corner of the world surged like a tide in every direction, each stepping into this mysterious realm with dreams in their hearts.

The original Life and Death Gate could never have been like this—Xiao Yan had deliberately remade it.

Xiao Yan had spent considerable time in the Great Thousand World and learned many methods used by its great factions to train disciples.

For example, some factions built Spiritual Roads to let promising talents compete, placing resources along the path for them to fight over—regardless of life or death.

Others gathered fragments of Remnant Continent and placed them within a space, allowing cultivators to seek out Ancestral Inheritance Sites on their own—there were many such strange methods.

But overall, the rule was simple: place resources, then let them fight—survival of the fittest.

Of course, since Xiao Yan was on the Dou Qi Continent, the Life and Death Gate Trial he created was designed for the entire continent—and thus differed.

As many powerful cultivators ventured deeper into this realm, they realized its vastness far exceeded their imagination—it seemed endless; no matter which way they walked, it stretched boundlessly.

"There's a Transmission Gate!!" After much searching, someone finally discovered a Transmission Gate.

"A Great Dou Shi Transmission Gate? Does this mean it's for Great Dou Shi?"

"Huh? What are these orbs?" Before the Transmission Gate floated numerous orbs; a Great Dou Shi seized one, squeezed it gently—and shattered it, retrieving an ancient Scroll.

"Lower-grade Spiritual Scripture: Deer Wood Spiritual Scripture. A Wood-element Cultivation Method." As he unrolled the Scripture, a Soul Information instantly merged into his mind.

"Spiritual Energy! Cultivators in the Great Thousand World use Spiritual Energy, not Dou Power—they must transform it. Entering this gate allows you to use the Scripture to convert into Spiritual Energy; if cultivation fails, you'll be teleported out of the Life and Death Gate!"

The Life and Death Gate consisted of two parts: the first was for cultivators of the Dou Qi Continent—within this boundless land, Xiao Yan had placed numerous Trial Sites and all manner of resources—Elixirs, Cultivation Methods, Dou Techniques—all intended for those unwilling to leave the Dou Qi Continent.

The second part consists of these transmission gates, which transport to different Remnant Continents—all of which Xiao Yan brought back from the Great Thousand World, and thus are saturated with Spiritual Energy.

Undoubtedly, these transmission gates are for cultivators willing to leave the Dou Qi Continent and journey to the Great Thousand World.

For example, Hai Bodong, Yao Lao, the Little Lion King, and others who wish to follow Xiao Yan to the Great Thousand World and wage war across the lands must first adapt to the Great Thousand World's Spiritual Energy and begin cultivating Spirit Formulas to transform their energy.

To enter the Great Thousand World, one must transform their energy— even Hun Tian Di, Gu Yuan, and Zhu Kun cannot avoid this.

Xiao Yan has already cleared many obstacles for them: allowing them to adapt to Spiritual Energy on the Dou Qi Continent and providing Spirit Formulas; for close associates like Hai Bodong, Yao Lao, Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and Qing Lin, Xiao Yan has even prepared Supreme Body Forms and Divine Weapons.

"Ah! To enter the Great Thousand World means restarting cultivation!"

"It shouldn't be restarting— it says transformation: converting Dou Qi into Spiritual Energy."

Many people gradually discovered the transmission gates—nine in total, ranging from Dou Zhe to Dou Sheng.

After receiving Soul Information, many hesitated, for suddenly abandoning Dou Qi cultivation to pursue so-called Spiritual Energy, forsaking Dou Techniques and familiar things, was naturally hard to accept.

Even Xiao Yan himself initially struggled to accept it.

"Forget it! Whether Spiritual Energy or Dou Qi— if you don't fight, how will you gain a miraculous opportunity? Rather than live a lifetime of mediocrity, I'd rather fight!!" Someone made up their mind, grabbed a Spirit Formula, shouted loudly, and charged into the transmission gate.

"That's right! Staying on the Dou Qi Continent isn't guaranteed to be better— better to follow His Majesty and carve out a path in the Great Thousand World!"

"I'm in too!!"

"Follow Young Master Yan!"

Seeing others take the lead, those behind refused to fall behind, all preparing to transform their Spiritual Energy and rushing in.

Of course, some merely came seeking resources and had no intention of leaving the Dou Qi Continent.

Suddenly, the entire realm became feverishly active— everywhere, people dug holes and tunneled, searching for opportunities; all young cultivators burned with enthusiasm, as if determined to dig three feet deep!

They had their passion; Xiao Yan had his own.

At this moment, Xiao Yan's entire body burned with strands of black flame as he sat cross-legged within the Xiao Realm, his powerful Soul Force spreading through the power of Void Swallowing Flame into the depths of the Dou Qi Continent's Space.

"Young Master Yan, push harder!" Within the Xiao Realm, Qing Lin, with her emerald-green hair, clenched her fists tightly, nervously cheering for Xiao Yan.

"The realm has a spirit—if all living beings in this world simultaneously pray with their hearts, channeling that Wish Power, they can help Xiao Yan sense the existence of the Realm Embryo." Cai Lin's eyes shimmered with Spiritual Light.

Now nearly all cultivators on the continent have entered the Life and Death Gate, and Xiao Yan, as its creator, seeks to use the Life and Death Gate to gather the Wish Power of every cultivator on the Dou Qi Continent, to sense the Realm Embryo.

"Human hearts are hardest to grasp— many won't truly believe in Brother Xiao Yan unless they face life-or-death peril," said Xun Er.

"I hope the Life and Death Gate succeeds this time," said Xiao Yixian.

Xiao Yixian, Xun Er, and Cai Lin— the three women— naturally did not need to enter the Life and Death Gate; they had long since transformed their Dou Qi and now possessed the strength of Upper Earth Supremes.

As Xiao Yan sat in stillness, after a long while, countless specks of light drifted toward him from the heavens and earth. Xiao Yan let the specks drift to him, settling upon his body.

More and more invisible specks of light rose from the direction of the Yun Lan Sect, as if crossing through space, filling the entire Xiao Realm with these strange specks.

The specks poured down like a sky-covering tide, finally forming a luminous cocoon that enveloped Xiao Yan's figure.

Clearly, Xiao Yan's plan was working: many cultivators within the Life and Death Gate had received the opportunities Xiao Yan granted them and felt profound gratitude, subtly and unconsciously coming to believe Xiao Yan was the true sovereign who could lead the Dou Qi Continent.

"This is the Wish Power of the Dou Qi Continent's living beings."

Wish Power is not merely the hope that someone will save the world—it can also be the hope that someone will appear to lead the world, make it better, and elevate them to glory.

Woof woof woof! At that moment, a large yellow dog appeared!

Old now—writing ten thousand characters took me all day. This counts as yesterday's.