Chapter 281

In the nameless mountain range, thick mist swirled endlessly; this place had once been remote and rarely visited, but recently a mysterious entrance appeared, prompting the Northern Border Army of Great Zhou to station large forces here.

Inside the tent.

As Zhu Nai, the commander stationed here, was reading elegant literature, he suddenly sensed something and looked up toward the location of the mysterious entrance.

He had barely stepped out of the tent when a subordinate reported: “Commander Zhu, disaster! The mysterious entrance we’re guarding has emitted strange energy fluctuations—several soldiers were pulled in because they got too close.”

Zhu Nai frowned and said, “Take me there.”

Under his subordinate’s guidance, he quickly arrived before the mysterious entrance of the mountain range, where a gate composed of translucent, magical runes now emitted a tremendous suction, drawing in nearby wild grass and shattered stones.

Even a soldier standing too close would be pulled into the mysterious gate.

“What just happened? How did those men get pulled in?” Zhu Nai asked. With this level of suction, unless someone deliberately touched the gate, they shouldn’t have been drawn in.

A company commander bowed and replied: “Commander, this mysterious gate is strange—anyone within a certain radius is pulled in by immense suction, yet other objects aren’t affected nearly as strongly.”

“Just now, several soldiers didn’t realize the danger and were sucked in.”

“I was also within that range just now—if I hadn’t reacted quickly, I’d have been pulled in too. I estimate even a fifth-rank cultivator who gets too close couldn’t resist this force.”

“So there are such strange occurrences,” Zhu Nai said, casting a wary glance at the mysterious gate, then waved his hand and ordered: “Immediately report this anomaly to the Northern Border and await the General’s orders.”

“Also, no one is permitted to approach the mysterious gate. All personnel stationed here must retreat one li backward to prevent another incident like this.”

“As for the men sucked into the gate, send someone to try establishing contact—if we can learn what’s inside, that would be best.”

Upon receiving the orders, the stationed troops began moving.

Meanwhile, the mysterious gates suddenly unleashed immense suction, pulling people in—not just here, but at every mysterious gate across Great Zhou.

At this moment, Lu Fang arrived at the nameless mountain range of the Northern Border and met Commander Zhu Nai.

“Lord Wenguan, what brings you here?”

Zhu Nai bowed.

Lu Fang glanced toward the mysterious gate; on his way, he had heard rumors from the Shen family’s intelligence network about the gate’s anomalies, and he had just taken a look. According to the latest reports, some mysterious gates had been confirmed as entrances to minor upper realms.

Yet he had not rushed in—he came to consult Zhu Nai for specifics.

“I heard some of the mysterious gates are entrances to minor upper realms. Is there anything unusual about this one?”

Lu Fang asked.

Zhu Nai thought for a moment, then shook his head: “As far as I know, it’s no different from others. But just now, I received word from above that it’s not just Great Zhou that has these gates.”

“The Yuman territories have also developed similar gates. Many elite Yuman warriors will likely enter them soon.”

Lu Fang frowned and pressed: “Are there any realm restrictions for entering the mysterious gates? Has any official information been released?”

If there were restrictions, and if the level was suitable, he was willing to enter this unknown minor upper realm—he wasn’t afraid of opponents at his own level or even one or two levels higher; even if he couldn’t defeat them, he could easily protect himself.

Moreover, over this period, the quantity of his scholarly aura had accumulated to a terrifying level. If he entered a minor upper realm with a flawed Dao, he could use his scholarly aura to elevate his realm.

Zhu Nai shook his head: “There are no realm restrictions for entering the mysterious gate. But cultivators above the ninth rank will have their realms suppressed upon entry. Currently, the higher command forbids anyone from entering rashly.”

“Cultivators above the ninth rank are suppressed?” Lu Fang pondered for a moment, then said: “I intend to enter the mysterious gate. Do you have any specific details about the minor upper realm inside?”

If he unleashed the power of his Demon Heart, even a first-rank cultivator wouldn’t have the upper hand over him. And since this unknown minor upper realm suppresses those above the ninth rank, he’d face little danger.

After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to enter the unknown minor upper realm.

Zhu Nai hesitated: “Information about the minor upper realm is scarce—we only know the space inside seems vast, and it’s filled with powerful strange beasts and rare herbs. Lord Wenguan, your status is unique—if you intend to enter, I must report it to the higher command.”

“Then go report,” Lu Fang said casually, ignoring Zhu Nai’s reaction, and vanished toward the mysterious gate.

To be honest, he had no intention of waiting for official approval.

Given his current status and the fact that his elegant literary work, Journey to the West, had caught the Son of Heaven’s attention, it was highly likely the court would forbid him from taking such a risk.

Even if the Son of Heaven agreed, the back-and-forth would waste precious time.

The Demon Heart was already desperate—it sensed a far denser aura of Punishment emanating from the mysterious gate.

It had been urging Lu Fang to enter quickly and find out what lay inside.

So after brief consideration, Lu Fang decided to enter the minor upper realm directly; whether Zhu Nai reported it to the higher command was his concern.

Arriving before the mysterious gate, Lu Fang said nothing—he transformed into a streak of light and plunged inside. Behind him, Zhu Nai could only grimace; he had suspected Lu Fang would act this way, but hadn’t expected such decisive action.

The unknown minor upper realm was still in its exploratory phase, and though those above the ninth rank had their power suppressed inside, they still possessed supernatural abilities beyond comprehension—if Lu Fang encountered one, his chances of survival were slim.

After all, this unknown minor upper realm wasn’t exclusive to Great Zhou—powerful Yuman entities could enter too.

If they encountered Lu Fang, they would spare no cost to kill the Chanyu Man.

“This is madness!” Zhu Nai thought, unable to suppress his panic. He shouted to his subordinates: “Quickly report to the higher command that Lord Wenguan has entered the mysterious gate and entered the minor upper realm!”

His action was instinctive—but it was a grave mistake. The news of Lu Fang’s entry into the minor upper realm did reach the higher command, but due to too many intermediaries, the Yuman side learned of it too.

His action was instinctive, but it was also a grave mistake—the news that Lu Fang had entered the Lesser Heavenly Realm through the mysterious gate had indeed reached those above, but because too many hands had handled it, the demon barbarians had learned of it too.