Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

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"What are you laughing at?" Diliya asked.

"In my hometown, there is an animal that when danger approaches, it buries its head in the sand, thinking that by doing so, it can avoid danger."

"I do not agree with that approach. I prefer to know everything I can about the danger—since what is destined to come will eventually arrive, turning a blind eye is not a solution."

"The Cursed Statue was the beginning of it all."

"Please tell me."

Shen Ye said earnestly.
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"Since you insist, there's no helping it..." Diliya pondered for a moment, then continued:

"The 'Five Desires' world is actually a very powerful prison world."

"Entrusted by many worlds, it is responsible for imprisoning a terrifying monster, and it has been empowered with great strength."

"Originally, there were no problems."

"But as time passed, one day, just like you said—"

"Even a giant wheel has its day of spiraling into a 'vortex', but the people on the giant wheel do not realize it."

"All kinds of defenses were destroyed."

"We were also severely injured."

"—And that was merely from getting close to the 'vortex'."

"Seeing everything heading towards destruction, the imprisoned monster awoke."

"It sensed the situation outside."

"At that moment, it could not escape on its own because in the midst of that vortex, leaving the world alone would be even more dangerous."

"It controlled the entire world and, along with us, broke free from the vortex, returning to the universe."

Shen Ye was profoundly moved.

Being the object of imprisonment, yet it could escape carrying the entire planet with it?

What an incredible strength!

However—

"What does all this have to do with the Cursed Statue?" Shen Ye asked.

Diliya closed her eyes, slowly regulated her breathing, and waited until she was completely calm before speaking:

"After the imprisoned monster escaped, it was originally going to kill us all, but the vortex chased after us."

"Chased?"

"Yes, the existence we refer to as 'vortex' appeared directly in front of the imprisoned monster."

"The vortex trampled it underfoot and, just as it was about to kill the monster, it changed its mind."

"The vortex handed it a Cursed Statue."

"The exact words were 'This statue represents me. You are to carve more statues in its likeness and take them to the Myriad Worlds, letting them consume souls."

"The more souls they consume, the more pleased I am, and you will be safer."

Shen Ye listened intently, and after a while, he said:

"But...if there are many statues, then destroying one here should not have a big impact on the overall situation, right?"

"The one destroyed was the true original of the Cursed Statue." Diliya said.

Great.

That's just wonderful.

The Cursed Statue comes from the most powerful, the most wicked, the most unspeakable being in the universe.

It is a remote soul-devouring delivery app.

But—

I have destroyed this delivery app and even awakened gate power.

"Is there a way to remedy this?"

Shen Ye asked.

"Actually, the vortex mentioned this situation." Diliya said.

"It did?" Shen Ye asked, surprised.

"Yes, the exact words were 'You have the chance to earn my reward, which is the power of the next Era. If someone truly achieves this, then use that power, just silently recite my name."'

Shen Ye listened silently, continuing to practice his swordsmanship without responding.

But Diliya went on:

"You have already chosen to hear the secret, now, please make another choice."

"Shen Ye, you may choose not to heed its words and pretend you know nothing, focusing on becoming stronger; or you could follow its instruction, and carry out this task."

"—If you have made up your mind, please tell me."

Shen Ye did not hesitate for too long.

"I want to accomplish this task."

"Are you sure? That is an existence no one can contend with. Are you sure you want to do as it says?"

Diliya looked puzzled:

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"Why do you keep walking toward the abyss? You could clearly avoid it!"

"No, actually, it can't be avoided," Shen Ye said.

Diliya froze, looking at him for the first time with a different gaze.

This young man had done many outstanding things.

But when it came to secrets, he was so paranoid, even somewhat mad.

Was he pursuing that terrifying existence?

Why?

Could it be that all geniuses have a propensity for self-destruction?

Shen Ye, however, continued practicing his sword cuts, his expression calm and composed, as if he did not feel any hesitation, nervousness, or fear about his decisions.

"Very good, let's continue slashing," the Human Figure made a gesture.

Shen Ye followed suit.

The blade's light drew beautiful arcs in the void.

In fact—

The whole matter was very clear.

—Everyone was working for that "vortex".

And then one day, the working mechanism you people had was messed up, unable to function.

As the boss, the "vortex" had given a solution long ago.

Yet you didn't carry it out, foolishly trying to throw your hands up and escape.

Do you really think the boss knows nothing?

Or did you think—

The boss is easy to bully?

There's no such way to mix in society, buddy!

Besides, if the other party could give an early contingency plan, they might well have a corresponding plan for the escape mentioned in the plan.

—What reason is there to underestimate an existence in whose presence everything in the era has bowed down for thirty thousand years?

"You'll die, Shen Ye," Diliya warned solemnly.

Yet Shen Ye raised his hand, placing it in the void, and murmured:

"What I'm talking about is the irresistible Black King."

As soon as the first sentence was uttered, everything around came to a standstill.

The Human Figure stopped moving.

In the Dharma Aspect, Diliya covered her mouth with both hands, appearing frightened and frantic, maintaining her original motion.

Stillness.

As if some other kind of invisible substance had already infiltrated the surrounding void, encircling Shen Ye.

Shen Ye sheathed his blade and continued:

"It lurks at the Tip of the Crown of Stars, picking out those prosperous and powerful planets, devouring everything clean."

"For thirty thousand years, everything in this era has bowed down before it."

"There's no escaping."

"The universe contracts around it as its center, every existence must face it, and it harvests everything, revels in everything, destroys everything."

"—Gate."

He stretched out his hand, placing it in the void.

A door appeared all at once.

Shen Ye placed his hand on the door and pressed slightly.

—If all goes well, pushing open the door should reveal the secret passage of the Human Territory in the Nightmare World.

But would it really be so?

He pushed the door open with force.

Beyond the door was the vast and splendid cosmic nebula.

In the endless darkness, a thunderous voice echoed from all sides:

"Too many beings, out of arrogance and ignorance, have long lost the reverence they ought to have for the universe and truth."

"Fear drives them to turn a blind eye to great power, to be deaf to it, seeking their own death."

"You're not too bad."

A phantom streaked from the infinite nebula, flying through the door and gently floating in front of Shen Ye.

Shen Ye looked down.

He saw that it was a black invitation.

The invitation exuded an endless dark light, and on its surface surfaced densely packed planets, forming a vast and intricate star map.

"Take it, you'll make use of it," the voice continued.