Ascension Path, Knocking on Heaven's Gate

Let's go back in time.

Secret Realm.

The image of Qin Wangchuan slaying Golden Cicada with a single sword strike in the Dragon Pattern Ancient Mirror froze, plunging the entire stage into a brief Deathly Stillness.

"This..." The teacup in the Li Clan elder's hand shattered with a crack, his gaze fixed on the figure in the mirror, "Eighth Realm defeating Eleventh Realm?!"

Qin Wenhe and chuckled, his eyes full of pride. "My Wangchuan family has unparalleled talent. Slaying demons across borders is as easy as drinking water. What's so special about that?"

"Bullshit!" The elder of the Chu Clan slammed his hand on the table.

"This Golden Cicada has clearly just awakened and is still in a weak period. Its strength is probably only at the Tenth Realm!"

"Moreover, your family's <Taichu God-Burial Sword> is a domineering Swordsmanship that emphasizes power over accuracy, yet it neither dodges nor evades."

"As far as I can see, your Qin Wangchuan's true strength is only around... the Tenth Realm?"

Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions.

What do you mean by "around the Tenth Realm"?

No matter what, that's a one-hit kill even if you're two realms above!

Qin Wangchuan is currently only at the Eighth Realm. After reaching the Ninth Realm, his domain will materialize, and his combat power will increase to another level.

Not to mention the Tenth Realm? The Heavenly Palace Realm, which allows one to create their own unique rules within a domain...

Thinking of this, everyone's expressions suddenly became extremely interesting.

"Wait... Has anyone here seen Qin Wangchuan's domain?"

"I've never even heard of it, let alone seen it."

The elder of the Li Clan turned to Qin Wenhe and asked, "Old Man Qin, what exactly is the cultivation field of your Young Master?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Wenhe's lips curled into a meaningful smile, "To be honest..."

He glanced around at the crowd, his tone casual. "I haven't seen it either."

"After all--"

"So far, no one has been able to force him to use his domain."

"..."

Seeing everyone's silence, Qin Wenhe felt secretly pleased.

Look, other Prodigy need to use all their skills to fight beyond their level.

But my Qin Wangchuan can do it easily.

This is the difference!

As the images in the Treasure Mirror shifted, the scene of the Dragon Qi appearing in the world soon arrived.

"Look at this commotion..." the Li Clan elder suddenly pointed into the mirror, "It's bigger than the previous disturbances, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, everyone focused their attention on the direction indicated.

The scene in the mirror shifted, and Qin Wangchuan burst through the roof of the palace, his Dragon Qi surging around him. A Dark Gold Dragon Pattern Battle Armor gradually took shape, covering his entire body.

"High Antiquity forbidden artifact, Transformation Divine Weapon?!" The Chu Clan elder's pupils constricted, and his voice suddenly rose, "Such a forbidden object still exists in this world!"

"Hahaha!" Qin Wenhe laughed loudly, his laughter shaking the beams and pillars of the platform, causing dust to fall. "Gentlemen, what do you think? My Wangchuan not only slew Eleventh Realm Demon Cultivator with his sword, but also gained the recognition of the True Dragon Clan treasure as its master. This is truly the mandate of heaven!"

"You old scoundrel Qin!" the Li Clan elder gritted his teeth. "Your Qin Clan already has Qin Wudao who dominated a generation, and now you have Qin Wangchuan. Do you intend to monopolize the Great Era?!"

"Dominate?" Qin Wenhe and chuckled, his tone leisurely, "Not at all, it's just a matter of fate favoring me."

Upon hearing this, everyone cursed inwardly—this old bastard, he got the benefit and is still acting innocent!

Just then, the scene in the mirror shifted, and Chu Wujiu transformed into a purple rainbow, attacking Qin Wangchuan, only to be casually slapped down and smashed into the ground.

"Hiss--" The elder of the Chu Clan gasped, his face turning ashen instantly.

Previously, it was said that the two were not of the same generation and were not comparable at all.

There's really no comparison; I was slapped away.

"Tenth Realm against the Eighth Realm, and he was suppressed with a single palm strike?" The Ji Clan elder muttered to himself, seemingly incredulous.

"Old ghost Chu, it seems your 'Nine Prisons Battle Body' still needs some more training!"

Faced with the ridicule of the crowd, the Chu Clan elder's face darkened, but he remained silent.

He knew Chu Wujiu's strength all too well. How could Prodigy who could defeat an enemy two realms above him be so easily defeated by Qin Wangchuan?

This is just the current gap; it will only widen in the future.

"Huh?" The Imperial Preceptor suddenly frowned, pointing to the mirror. "Where is Qin Wangchuan going?"

As everyone looked on, they saw Qin Wangchuan transform into a golden rainbow and soar into the sky, heading straight for the exit of the Secret Realm.

"He's leaving the Secret Realm?!" The Li Clan elder exclaimed in astonishment. "He's already obtained the treasure, why doesn't he continue exploring?"

"Could it be... that there's another plan?" The Ji Clan elder narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Qin Wenhe smiled without saying a word, but a deep look flashed in his eyes.

--Our Ninth Young Master always acts unexpectedly; there must be a deeper meaning behind his actions this time!

The moment Qin Wangchuan burst out of the Secret Realm, Qin Wenhe was about to step forward when he saw that the golden rainbow didn't stop at all; instead, it accelerated, heading straight for the sky above the Immortal Dynasty's palace.

"That is...?"

Everyone looked up and discovered that a phantom door had suddenly appeared in the sky.

It was ethereal, surrounded by a shimmering golden aura, as if it did not belong to this world.

As Qin Wangchuan approached, the gate suddenly shook violently, and Heavenly Ladder formed of dazzling golden light descended, its steps extending all the way to his feet.

It was as if they were welcoming us.

"The Ascension Path?!" The Imperial Preceptor's Dragon-Head Staff clattered to the ground, his usually composed face revealing shock for the first time. "How is this possible... all the relevant ancient texts should have been destroyed."

They certainly knew about the Heavenly Road, and they also knew about the Celestial Being Realm that once existed.

But that had already been listed as a dangerous taboo; how did Qin Wangchuan know this?

"The Heavenly Road is already built; there's no way to stop it."

"Old Man Qin?"

Qin Wenhe's pupils contracted slightly as he watched this scene, but at this moment, all he could do was sigh.

"Perhaps he can do it."

In Ancient Times, the Celestial Being Realm was a life-or-death barrier that stood before countless Prodigy.

Those exceptionally talented individuals often vanish the moment they step through the Heavenly Gate —not by falling, but by being completely swallowed up by another world.

Once gone, it cannot be brought back to life.

What's even more terrifying is that this Heavenly Gate doesn't test cultivation level or aptitude; it only asks about one's character and temperament.

Very few people can pass.

At this moment, Qin Wangchuan had already taken the first step on the Heavenly Ladder.

"Boom--"

The Dragon Luck in the entire Imperial City suddenly surged, merging with the Great Dao Luck and rushing wildly towards that figure.

What's even more terrifying is that with each step he took, the Heavenly Gate solidified a little more.

A deep, muffled knocking sound echoed from the depths of the heavens, as if warning mortals not to push open this forbidden door.

"Clang--"

"Clang--"

With each step upwards, with each knock, the Ley Line of the Imperial City trembled.

Jiang Xuanli stood atop the palace wall, her phoenix eyes reflecting the figure ascending the steps.

As the Eldest Princess of the Imperial Dynasty, blessed with Dragon Luck, she naturally knew about the Heavenly Gate and was well aware of what it meant to step onto the Heavenly Road —a taboo that even her Imperial Capital, had never dared to touch.

Her jade-like fingers clenched tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she remained completely unaware.

As Jiang Xuanli gazed at the ever-growing figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up within her.

Clang--

There was another knock on the door, making the Gold Step-Shaker Hairpin in her hair jingle.

"May you..."

As soon as she said those words, Jiang Xuanli suddenly realized her lapse in composure.

As the Eldest Princess of the Imperial Dynasty, she should have been the most calm and composed one.

But at this moment, he felt like a novice cultivator just beginning his Immortal path, his heart pounding with excitement at the scene before him.

He took a deep breath, but his gaze remained fixed on the Heavenly Gate —where Qin Wangchuan's figure was almost touching the very Heavenly Gate.

Yuniang's voice kept reminding me.

"The trials that await each person after the Heavenly Gate are different, but one thing is certain."

"The Ascension Path is a question of one's true self!"

Qin Wangchuan's fingertips touched the Heavenly Gate, and ripples spread across the gilded gate.

It felt cool to the touch, yet strangely familiar.

It's just like the Wangchuan Pavilion Mystic Spirit Gate Pavilion, which has been pushed and shoved countless times.

"I see..." He suddenly chuckled, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. "I have a pretty good idea what's inside."

"You guessed it?" Yuniang was shocked.

After taking the Little Golden Crow off his head and handing it to Yuniang, Qin Wangchuan decisively pushed open the Heavenly Gate and went inside.

"Squeak--"

The moment the Heavenly Gate was pushed open, golden light flooded the field of vision like a tide.

As the light faded, the sensation in Qin Wangchuan's hand had changed.

The gilded Heavenly Gate had somehow transformed into a Mystic Spirit Gate, and he remained in the posture of pushing the door open.

Looking up, I saw the familiar Wangchuan Pavilion.

Qin Wangchuan could even smell the familiar scent of cedarwood—it was incense he had personally blended, and he even remembered the exact shape the ashes should be piled up after burning.

"You've come."

Five-year-old Qin Wangchuan sat with a book in his hand, the ink on the desk still wet.